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A historic fourth Two Oceans Marathon win for Kovsie alumna Gerda Steyn

15 April 2023 | Story Gerda-Marié van Rooyen | Photo Two Oceans Marathon Twitter

Gerda Steyn winning the 2023 Two Oceans Marathon — Former UFS student, Gerda Steyn, made history this weekend – she is the first woman to win the Two Oceans Ultra Marathon four consecutive times.

Kovsie alumna Gerda Steyn provided much jubilation on Saturday 15 April 2023, as she became the first woman to win the Two Oceans Marathon four consecutive times. Steyn, who represented South Africa in the 2020 Summer Olympics held in Tokyo, Japan, in 2021, improved her personal best by finishing the race 39 seconds faster than her winning time in 2022.

Shortly after her fourth win in the 56 km race, Steyn told media that the desire to inspire girls kept her motivated during the race. “I thought of all the girls watching (the race) with their parents and seeing a woman who looked like everyone else winning this big race.” The former University of the Free State (UFS) professional athlete managed an average pace of 3:45 minutes per kilometre. Steyn proved that hard work pays off, as she finished 14th at the Two Oceans Ultra Marathon in 2016. Her first-ever first place at this race was in 2018, and again in 2019 and 2022 – the marathon was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Proving that she not only has golden feet but a heart of gold too, she pledged to donate some of her bonus money towards the development of athletes living in Muizenberg shortly after she won the Two Oceans in record time in 2022. A true example of perseverance and hard work, she also won the Comrades Marathon in 2019, and finished seventh in the London Marathon in 2020.

Prof Francis Petersen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS, says that Gerda is an embodiment of focus and determination. “I am so proud of her. The UFS is truly the home of champions, as can be seen by the achievements of Olympic track athletes Wayde van Niekerk, Louzanne Coetzee, and champions in many other sporting codes.”

Saturday’s Two Oceans Marathon saw Ethiopian-born Amelework Fikadu Bosho finish second in the women’s race – crossing the finish line 12 minutes after Steyn – with Carla Molinaro from Britain in the third position. Approximately 10 000 athletes entered the race, starting at the Newlands Stadium and ending on the University of Cape Town's campus.

News Archive

More accolades for Golden Key Chapter

2012-07-26

The Golden Key UFS Chapter Executive Committee during one of their community projects. Here are, from the left back: Billy Tshanjane, Mitz Dames and Lehlohonolo Mofekeng; middle: Keneiloe Kgnare and Siphe Mahlaba; front: Kim Drude.
26 July 2012

The world’s largest academic honour society, Golden Key International Honour Society, has again recognised excellence at the university, awarding the University of the Free State (UFS) chapter an International Chapter Service Award.

It is the third consecutive year that the chapter has received the award which is awarded to ten of the more than 375 chapters worldwide. Based on the society’s values of academic excellence, leadership and community service, the chapter was awarded 1000 US dollars (about R8400).

In March this year, the chapter received another accolade when Dr Derek Swemmer, Registrar and co-advisor of the chapter, was appointed chairperson of the governing body of the society. Dr Swemmer became the first South African to serve in this position of this prestige academic society.

Kim Drude, Golden Key UFS Chapter President, says the chapter will continue making a difference in the community. “We may now go out there and make the changes at our current major community service project, the Talita Cumi Orphanage Home and School.

"Commitment and dedication will always be rewarded and this award is an indication that our hard work has, without a doubt, paid off.”

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