Warriors of the Comrades Down Run
South Africa is witnessing a golden era of ultramarathon performance.
Over the past few years, local runners have stamped their dominance on the Comrades Marathon.
Tete Dijana and Gerda Steyn have earned international acclaim through consistency, discipline and remarkable pace over gruelling distances.
Dijana, a security guard, inspires many with his humble background and meteoric rise to a three-time Comrades winner.
Steyn, who has won multiple Two Oceans Marathons, has set a new standard for women's distance running in South Africa.
MEN'S COMRADES DOWN RUN WINNERS
Year Winner Country Time
2025 Tete Dijana South Africa 5:25:28
2023 Tete Dijana South Africa 5:13:58
2019 Edward Mothibi South Africa 5:31:33
2018 Bongmusa Mthembu South Africa 5:26:34
2016 David Gatebe South Africa 5:18:19
MEN'S DOWN RUN RECORD HOLDER
2023 Tete Dijana South Africa 5:13:58
In 2023, Dijana mounted an incredible race to smash the down run record previously held by David Gatebe by over four minutes.
WOMEN'S COMRADES DOWN RUN WINNERS
Year Winner Country Time
2025 Gerda Steyn South Africa 5:51:19
2023 Gerda Steyn South Africa 5:44:54
2019 Gerda Steyn South Africa 5:58:53
2018 Ann Ashworth South Africa 6:10:04
2016 Charne Bosman South Africa 6:25:55
WOMEN'S DOWN RUN RECORD HOLDER
2023 Gerda Steyn South Africa 5:44:54
Steyn is widely regarded as the queen of ultra-distance running in South Africa.
Her 2023 win not only marked a personal best but broke a record previously held by Frith van der Merwe since 1989.
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