toes with a challenging programme, but he is also very
careful not to over train. I am able to keep it interesting
by incorporating a lot of cross training in my daily
routine. I put in a lot of hours in a day but try to make
sure I get plenty of rest to ensure that I can keep going
day after day.
What foods did you eat? Were you on a
specialised diet?
I don’t follow a strict diet, but I try to eat the right food
for my energy and recovery requirements. Growing up on
a farm I have a very 'meaty' appetite and complement it
with lots of vegetables. I eat a balanced diet, consisting
of carbohydrates, protein, fats, fibre and also try to make
sure I stay hydrated before and after training sessions.
Would you say the Comrades is one of those races
that people should run once in their lifetime?
Gerda Steyn
How does it feel to be named the 2019 Comrades
Marathon winner?
Being the Comrades winner is a dream come true. Some
days I still pause at the thought of that day. It is the
greatest honour for me to be a Comrades winner. It’s a
race like no other and that day will forever be close to
my heart.
Who is your inspiration?
I take inspiration from a number of people but my
biggest inspiration is Frith van der Merwe. When she
broke the Comrades down-run record, commentators
were explaining how her run appeared effortless and
that made me believe that it was possible to have a
similar performance as hers.
Was this something you expected? Was winning
the race your goal?
Not a single day went by that I wasn’t thinking about
winning the Comrades after crossing the line in second
place in 2018. Winning was my number one goal so we
planned for it, prepared for it, but in running the result
can never be certain. I was fortunate enough to have
had a great build up to the race and had seen noticeable
improvement in my form from a year ago and therefore
I believed that it was possible, if everything went
according to plan on the day.
What was your training schedule like?
I am coached by Nick Bester and follow his training
programme and advice. He certainly keeps me on my
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YES!! I would go as far to say that it’s the one single race
that every runner should run at least once in their lives.
What has your recovery process been like?
Until now, my recovery has been going really well. I think
that all the positive energy I was surrounded with also
made it easier. I am extremely excited to start training
again.
Any tips for someone who is thinking of entering
the race next year?
Yes. Make smaller, more reachable goals for yourself
initially. Don’t think of Comrades as a 90 km run, rather
break it up into smaller portions. Join a group of runners
to help you stay on track and not to lose sight of your
goal. If you’re thinking of it, you’re already one step
closer to the finish line. Just keep putting in the work
day after day and you too will become a part of the
Comrades family!
Will you be coming back?
Yes! The Comrades is now a part of who I am and I can’t
wait to run again! Many people have asked me if I will be
changing my focus to different races. I can’t predict what
my future as an athlete will look like. If I have to miss out
on running Comrades for a year in the future, it won’t
mean that it’s over. I am not done with it Comrades yet
and I can’t imagine my career without Comrades being
the number one goal.
The 2020 Comrades Marathon
Entries for the 2020 race are now open. It will be a
down-run on Sunday, 14 June 2020, starting at the
Pietermaritzburg City Hall at 05:30 and finishing at the
Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.