Gerda Steyn made history at the Totalsports Two Oceans ultra-marathon on Saturday, claiming her seventh consecutive title over the 56km course in Cape Town. She crossed the line in 3:27:43, less than a minute outside her own race record of 3:26:54 set in 2024.
Why it matters
The Two Oceans is one of South Africa’s premier sporting events and a barometer of the country’s distance-running depth. Steyn’s dominance now spans nearly a decade.
Women’s race
Kenya’s Pamela Jepchumba finished second on her Two Oceans debut in 3:33:31. Zimbabwe’s Nobukhosi Tshuma rounded out the podium in 3:38:34.
Steyn, nicknamed the “Smiling Assassin,” controlled the race from the front, building a gap on the climb over Chapman’s Peak that her rivals could not close.
Men’s race
Arthur Jantjies produced the upset of the day, winning the men’s ultra on his first attempt at the 56km distance. He broke away from former champion Onalenna Khonkhobe in the closing stages to finish in 3:09:25.
Khonkhobe held on for second in 3:10:00, with Zimbabwean Blessing Waison third in 3:11:13.
The route
Thousands of runners tackled the course along the Cape Peninsula, taking in Constantia, Muizenberg, Fish Hoek, and the iconic climb over Chapman’s Peak Drive before finishing at the University of Cape Town.
The trail run, held on Friday, was won by Collin Kanyimo in 2:02:07. Ebeth Marais took the women’s trail title on debut in 2:18:03.