Why the Smiling Assassin might be smiling all the way to the bank at Two Oceans
Gerda Steyn, the reigning Queen of ultra running in South Africa, is poised to earn significantly more prizemoney in 2025 and 2026, with increased rewards for her continued dominance in the Two Oceans and Comrades Marathons. Picture: Henk Kruger / Independent Media
Image: Henk Kruger / Independent Media
Gunning for a seventh Two Oceans Marathon title in a row, Gerda Steyn will always line up as the favourite for the famed Cape Town race, but now the Queen of ultra running in South Africa stands to earn over 50% more prizemoney in 2025.
The prizemoney for 2026 has been increased by R130,000 to R380,000 for first place in the respective men’s and women’s races in the 56km event.
In fact, Steyn has been vocal about having already begun her preparation for the event on April 11.
Hinting at the prizemoney increase which was announced last week, Steyn revealed on Facebook her excitement ahead of the new season.
Steyn’s 2025 Comrades Marathon Triumph: A R1.6 Million Reward
“You don’t have to ask me if it’s worth it… IT’S WORTH IT!!!
“Working every single day for a moment like this.”
The post included a video of her crossing the line at the 2025 Comrades Marathon.
Since the Comrades Marathon is the pinnacle of ultramarathon running in South Africa, it offers significantly more money for the winners.
In 2025, Steyn collected a first-place prize of R874,000, while she also earned R550,000 for the best average pace in the women’s race, R220,000 as the first SA athlete home, and a handy R50,000 for reaching the Cell C Hot Spot first in the latter stages of the run.
If you add all that up, it totals a whopping R1 644,000.
Most people would quip ‘not bad for a day’s work’, when in actual fact the performances of Steyn have been built through years of dedication and hard work in training to reach this point. And in 2026, she will be rewarded much more handsomely if she keeps her winning streak going.