Tips from the top: Gerda Steyn on how she broke a Comrades record

Ultra-distance runner Gerda Steyn has shared some tips on what went into her record-breaking Comrades Marathon win last Sunday, when she smashed Frith van der Merwe’s 34-year-old ‘down’ record in a time of 5:44.54.

Gerda took to social media to answer all the questions her fans have had. Her longest training run before the Comrades was the 56km Two Oceans race, and her favourite Comrades is actually the ‘up’!

Gerda said: “It’s been a week since life went a little ??? on my side!!! I thought I’d share a little bit more about #theultimatehumanrace and answer some of your questions.. I hope you’ll enjoy it?”

She gave a shout out to Adidas Pro 3 and said she “would choose them 100x over again!! ?”

Gerda shared her cross training schedule (in case you’re thinking of doing the same!), saying: “My average weekly kilometers were around 170km in peak training, but every week differs as I work on a 9- or 10-day schedule. I incorporate a LOT of cross-training hours, and I never missed a day of doing some form of cross training.”

She says she never planned to run the race in 5 hours, 44 minutes BUT she was conscious of the fact that a record would mean a ‘record pace’ rather than ‘record time’. “I also promised myself that I would not hold back if I felt good, so with 30km to go, there was no way I was going to slow down for the sake of sticking to my initial plan?!”

According to Gerda, she used GU Energy Gels and GU Chews for energy, and “Pocari sweat for hydration along with water when I felt like it!”

Gerda’s followers thanked her for sharing her insight, and added their own aspects of her race that made Gerda an outright winner. Christian S said: “For me, the most inspiring component of your victory is not the pace, is not the shoes or gels, it’s the fact that you had your smile on until the very end. Just beautiful.”

Heidi S added: “For me the most memorable and inspiring moment was when you turned around and went back to salute the supporters! Incredible! What a humble person you are! Thank you!!”