July 14, 08:25

Gerda Steyn reveals the principles of her dominance in the Comrades and Two Oceans marathons

Although Gerda Steyn is a sensation in ultra-running, what distinguishes her is not so much her physical condition as her mentality, which helps her maintain motivation during grueling training sessions.

Motivation and the athlete's choice

Even with five titles as Comrades Marathon champion and seven victories in the Two Oceans Marathon, daily routine is important to Steyn, which includes two training sessions early in the morning. She admits that every runner has days when motivation is absent, and the temptation to skip a run is very strong.

However, for Gerda Steyn, this option is excluded. In an exclusive interview with IOL, conducted against the backdrop of Discovery announcing itself as the official sponsor of the Two Oceans Marathon, she explained that her motivation is based on personal choice. She says: 'There are two things that really help me stay motivated. Sometimes I just tell myself: 'I don't care how I feel right now. I have to do it because it is my choice.''

She noted that progress did not happen instantly. As months passed, she noticed improvements in her training, gradually reducing her time in shorter distances. This allowed her to start believing in herself. In 2017, there was a moment at the Comrades Marathon when she was convinced she could win if she put in more effort. But even then, victory did not come immediately; she had to wait another two years after this dream arose, continuing to move forward despite setbacks until the dream became a reality.

iol.co.zaJuly 13, 08:00

Joshua Glyn-Cuthbert prepares for Berg River Marathon after recovering from injury

Stellenbosch University student Joshua Glyn-Cuthbert intends to compete for victory in the Berg River Canoe Marathon after successfully recovering from a shoulder injury. He aims to become the first paddler from Matie to win the competition since 2010.

Preparation for the Main Race

Glyn-Cuthbert, who is 22 years old, is a fourth-year electrical engineering student. He has demonstrated outstanding preparation for the 64th edition of the marathon by winning all four qualifying races before Berg. With an impeccable record in the preliminary heats, he is among the main contenders for the title.

Although the shoulder injury, which required surgery less than a year ago, could not slow his progress, his rise has been particularly impressive given last year's difficulties.

Injuries and Rehabilitation

He shared that he sustained the shoulder injury during the Dusi competition in 2025 when he fell at the Little John Rapid and dislocated it. Several months later, he dislocated his shoulder again at the Breede River marathon, leading to surgery last October. Following the surgical procedure, Glyn-Cuthbert began a rehabilitation program under the guidance of biomechanist Armand de Wet.

According to the athlete, working with Armand de Wet, which started about eight weeks after the operation, not only guided his rehabilitation but also enhanced his paddling skills.

Marathon Participation History

A former student of Maritzburg College, Glyn-Cuthbert only started canoeing in 2020. Last year, he debuted at the Berg River Marathon, but illness on the third day prevented him from performing fully, and he finished 26th overall. However, the current season showed a completely different picture.

According to information from the Berg River Canoe Marathon organizers, this year Glyn-Cuthbert won all four preliminary races: from Paarl to Skelkie, from Gouda to Bridgetown, from Hermanus to Gouda, and most recently, from Wellington to Hermanus. In the last preliminary race, he crossed the finish line six minutes ahead of Heinrich Schloems, while Dylan Farrell took the podium.

Upcoming Competition

With such momentum, Glyn-Cuthbert will now focus on the Berg River Marathon, where he is expected to face serious competition from 14-time champion Hank McGregor. The four-day race will start in Paarl on Wednesday, July 15, and conclude in Weldedrift on Saturday, July 18, testing the endurance, skill, and resilience of participants in one of South Africa's most demanding endurance tests.

iol.co.zaJuly 10, 06:45

Gerda Stein stated that the Two Oceans marathon started her sports career

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.

First encounter with the marathon

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.

Events in Sandton

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.

The path to ultra-running legend

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.

Personal development and achievements

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.

Gratitude to the race

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.