Gerda Stein believes that the Two Oceans marathon inspired her to pursue professional running, and the seven-time champion recognized this landmark race as the beginning of her record-breaking career.
Stein is convinced that it was the Two Oceans marathon that convinced her to dedicate herself to competitive running. She shared that she first participated in this race in 2016. In Johannesburg on Thursday, Stein shared her thoughts, noting that Two Oceans is an integral part of her entire sporting life.
During her appearance in Sandton, it was announced that Discovery company is becoming the official sponsor of the health, wellness, and banking marathon. Stein recalled her first run, saying she remembers it like yesterday, feeling part of something deeply South African and much bigger than just an individual achievement.
Currently, 36-year-old Stein is completing another extremely successful season, in which she won both the Two Oceans marathon and the Comrades Marathon. The so-called 'Smiling Killer' has won seven titles in the Two Oceans marathon and five trophies in the Comrades Marathon.
Stein emphasized that significant personal changes occurred after her first participation in Two Oceans. She won this race for the first time in 2018, and that is when she began to believe in herself. She stated that she believed in the possibility of achieving more than she imagined, and that dreams can come true with hard work, perseverance, and dedication.
Stein admitted that she did not initially expect to become an ultra-running legend. She expressed constant gratitude to the marathon, saying she will always cherish this experience. She reflected on how easily this moment could have been missed in her career, noting that if she had not decided to participate that year, she would never have realized her potential to become a champion, and none of this would have happened.
