In a race that demanded patience, strength, and tactical awareness, Steyn prove yet again why she stands in a league of her own. From the early stages she imposed her authority, running with composure and confidence before gradually distancing herself from Kenya’s Margaret Jepchumba after 41km into the 56km journey.
From there it was plain sailing for Steyn, now passing some of the elite men on her way to the finish at UCT to cross the line in her 2nd fastest ever time on the course, finishing in 3:27:43 to conquer the race effectively known as the World’s most beautiful marathon.
“I didn’t break the record but I’m still happy with my race and am really happy with my time. It’s a completely successful day for me,” Steyn told media during the post-race press conference. “When I won my first Two Oceans, I never envisaged winning seven. I take it year for year. If I’m here next year and ready and fit, then I’ll push for sure. But I also need to accept the fact that I’m getting older. But for now, I’m feeling strong and I feel that I still have a few more years left in my career. So, if seven becomes eight and eight becomes ten, then I’ll take it.”
At the heart of the Hollywood Athletics Club Elite Team is a culture of excellence, consistency, and elite performance, all values embodied by its Elite Purple Stars. This “Purple Star” identity is more than just a label; it represents a standard and a commitment to showing up, executing with precision, and delivering when it matters most. Steyn is the epitome of this.
Behind Steyn, Hollywood Athletics Club picked up another two gold medals in the women’s race, with Lesotho’s Neheng Khatala picking up a gold in 8th to earn back to back golds after her debut last year. In 9th, American Courtney Olsen ran a strong race from behind, finishing in 3:44:40, and indicating that she is in great form ahead of June’s Comrades Marathon where she will line up alongside Steyn and others. On the last up run back in 2024, Olsen finished on the podium in 3rd and will be looking to replicate that form.
🏃♂️ 𝕋𝕨𝕠 𝕆𝕔𝕖𝕒𝕟𝕤 𝕄𝕒𝕣𝕒𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕟 🏃♀️
— SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) April 11, 2026
🥇 Gerda Steyn is the 2026 Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon Women's winner!
🚨 LIVE
📺 SABC 3
🌐 https://t.co/26PdrPrVLc#TwoOceansMarathon #SABCSportAthletics pic.twitter.com/hluEjnCeiO
In the men’s race, it was a tough day in the office for Hollywood’s elite, after a very strong showing for the first 3 quarters of the race. Hollywood’s Tshepo Ramashamole led the 14 000 runners through to the marathon mark, but cramps on the tough Constantia Nek climb saw his lead dwindle and training partner and defending champion Joseph Seutloali then attacked on the top of the Nek, breaking the pack down to 3.
After 50 grueling kilometers and looking like he was in control of defending his title, Seutloali ran into issues and within the next kilometer would find himself not only falling off the pace, but down on the side of the road, being taken away by medics. It was not the fairytale ending Seutloali was searching for, to become the first back-to-back men’s winner since 2004, but like the true champion he is, vowed to return next year to make amends.
Focus now turns to June’s Comrades Marathon where the Hollywood Purple Stars will look to make history, in search of victories in both the men’s and women’s races.
Hollywood Athletics Club Purple Elite star Gerda Steyn once again delivered a masterclass in ultra-distance running, claiming a remarkable seventh consecutive victory at the Two Oceans Marathon in Cape Town, furthering her record breaking feat and falling just short of her course record set two years ago.
Tayla Kavanagh produced a standout performance at this past weekend’s SPAR Ladies 10km in Cape Town, claiming a superb victory over defending series champion Glenrose Xaba in a thrilling head-to-head contest.
The 2026 Hollywoodbets 10km has officially launched, promising increased prize money, enhanced runner experience, and a major digital upgrade set
