Dijana and Steyn dominate the 2025 Comrades Marathon

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South African ultrarunners Tete Dijana and Gerda Steyn have once again affirmed their supremacy by securing victory in the 2025 down run from Pietermaritzburg to Durban.

This year’s event not only showcased remarkable athletic talent but also delivered one of the most exhilarating finishes in the race’s illustrious history.

Tete Dijana, who initially set his sights on merely finishing in the top ten after his 16th place finish in 2024, executed a stunning resurgence to capture his third Comrades title. He crossed the finish line with a time of 5:25:28, a mere five seconds ahead of the fiercely competitive Dutchman Piet Wiersma, known as ‘The Flying Dutchman’. Wiersma, who clinched victory in the previous year’s race, pushed valiantly in the final stretch but fell just short, battling to close the gap that Dijana fiercely defended. Russian runner Nikolai Volkov completed the podium in 5:29:42, while seasoned Comrades veteran Edward Mothibi finished fourth with a time of 5:31:41.

The women’s event crowned South Africa’s Gerda Steyn, who continues to solidify her reputation as the queen of ultra-distance road running. Although official times are pending confirmation, Steyn finished ahead of a strong field that included Russian Alexandra Morozova and Kenyan Shelmith Muriuki, marking her fourth Comrades title. With this latest victory, Steyn expands her growing legacy following her record-breaking down run in 2023 and her historic up-run time of 5:49:46 in 2024, making her the first woman to break the six-hour barrier on the demanding uphill route.

Steyn’s consistent success at both the Two Oceans Marathon and Comrades serves to cement her status as one of the finest ultramarathoners of her generation. With each race, she not only pushes the boundaries of endurance but also inspires countless athletes, rewriting the narrative of what is achievable in ultra-distance racing.

Men:

Tete Dijana (SA) – 5:25:28

Piet Wiersma (Netherlands) – 5:25:33

Nikolai Volkov (Russia) – 5:29:42

Edward Mothibi (SA) – 5:31:41

Women:

Gerda Steyn (SA) – 05:51:19

Alexandra Morozova (Russia) –

Shelmith Muriuki (Kenya)