Whilst the men’s elite Hollywood Athletics Club misses some big names such as Nkosikhona Mhlwakana who is skipping the 2025 Comrades Marathon, the elite women’s team that has been assembled is one of the strongest on the day, and will be looking to paint the old main road between Pietermaritzburg and Durban Purple!
Red-Hot Gerda Leads the Charge
Leading the charge is none other than Gerda Steyn, record holder of both the up and down runs and an athlete looking to earn her fourth victory in the race on Sunday. After yet another dominating victory at this year’s Two Oceans Marathon, Steyn is well prepared and looking forward to a great run. “The Comrades Marathon is my favorite race in the world,” said Steyn. “I’ve run the big city marathons, I’ve been to the Olympic Games, but nothing comes close to this event.”
Irvette Keen to Make Her Mark
Joining her in what will be her first attempt at the Comrades Marathon is Irvette van Zyl. After failing to finish the Two Oceans Marathon in April due to illness, van Zyl put all her focus into the Ultimate Human Race and is ready to run well, even though she is very nervous. “I watch this race every year and even my God Mother Frances (van Blerk) won it in 1992,” says van Zyl. “I always knew that one day it would be my turn and here we are. I want to go out and enjoy it and run a good race.”
Courtney Olsen Returns in Purple
Finishing on the podium last year on debut, American Courtney Olson will don the famous Purple colours for the first time as she takes a first crack at the down run. “Even though I had a great run last year, I am essentially a novice again as I have never done the down, so I’m going to go out there and just try have the best race that I can.”
Molinaro Ready to Go After Injury Setbacks
The last time the Comrades Marathon went down to Durban in 2023, Carla Molinaro had the race of her life and finished on the podium in third. This year however, Molinaro has encountered some injury problems after a top 10 Two Oceans Marathon finish. “After Oceans I became a cyclist and rode the equivalent of the Tour de France,” laughed Molinaro. “The fitness is there but it was not done ideally. I am going to go out and race hard and hopefully my body can go all the way. If not, I will sit on the side of the road and wait for some of my friends who are also running and then go to the finish with them because this is the Comrades and you must finish the race!”
Joining these Hollywood elites to form a complete team will be Annerie Wooding, and Melinda Jansen van Vuuren.
