Comrades race director Rowyn James has announced that 2019 women’s winner of the ultra-marathon, Gerda Steyn, will not be defending her title this year.
Steyn won the 2019 race in a record time of 5 hours, 58 minutes and 53 seconds.
She became the first woman to complete the up-run in under six hours.
James says, “The one lady missing there, we all know that Gerda Steyn. She has opted out to run the New York marathon this year so she will not be returning to defend her 2019 uprun title and we certainly wish her well in her race in New York.”
Pre-race medical screening
Comrades Marathon Association has introduced voluntary pre-race medical screening for all runners.
In the past, runners who develop serious medical problems during the race and end up in hospital often started the race with a pre-existing condition like flu.
On race day medical and emergency services will be available on the route to cater for any eventuality.
James says the pre-screening helps to flag people who will be potentially at risk on race day.
“One of the things we did introduce was a pre-race medical screening as well, which we’ve worked very closely with organisations and the University of Pretoria where we potentially flagged people that could potentially be at risk on race day and do one-on-one communication with them as well. More importantly, they use the information for medical research as well to also help us better prepare for our medical facilities, and the start, along the route, and the finish as well.”
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