Gerda versus Frith: who would have won the ultimate Comrades clash?

Gerda Steyn ran herself into history on Sunday as she broke Frith van der Merwe’s 34-year-old Comrades Marathon Down Run best time.

And even though her 5hr 44 min 54 sec effort was nearly a full 10 minutes faster, it should be remembered that Van der Merwe went 5:54:43 on a course that was 1,899 metres longer.

So what might have happened had these two road warriors met in their prime?

It’s a hypothetical question, of course, but it’s the type that keeps sporting theorists busy as they ponder things like Muhammad Ali versus Mike Tyson, or Michael Schumacher against Niki Lauda, or whether Pele was a better football player than Maradona. 

Steyn versus Van der Merwe would have been a cracker — even Steyn had to admit that after her triumph on Sunday.

Steyn averaged 3 min 56 sec a kilometre over the 87.701km track, compared to Van der Merwe’s 3:57.

Then again Steyn was visibly tiring at the end, while Van der Merwe was flying at the death in her race, to the point that onlookers reckoned had the route been a few kilometres longer she would have made the top 10.

Would the Frith of 1989 have reeled in the Gerda of 2023 in those final two kilometres?

“I was definitely tired at the end of the race,” admitted Steyn. “I know that I had to work hard all the time today, but I was never in danger. I felt still in control and I was still managing my pace even though it got very, very tough at the end.”

Those 2km would have seen a battle royale. 

In favour of Van der Merwe, she placed 15th overall in 1989 compared to Steyn’s 29th on Sunday; and Van der Merwe’s time would have won the men’s race 28 years earlier, while Steyn’s time would have triumphed against the men 51 years ago.

“I think that Frith and I are very even in terms of marathon times, even our Two Oceans times are very close so I think it would have been a very interesting race,” said Steyn, displaying too much modesty to suggest she’d win. Steyn has the faster times in both. 

I feel like someone who could set a record like that 34 years ago, it’s someone you have to respect with everything and Frith will not be forgotten, not by me and not by anyone.

—  Gerda Steyn

“I give credit to Frith because she did this 34 years ago and I’ve got more knowledge on how to train. I don’t know how I would have been if I’d been born earlier to race 34 years ago.”

Steyn has a point because of advancements in shoe technology and sports science.

“I don’t know [who would have won], it’s difficult to say, but I think it would have been a wonderful battle.”

Steyn paid tribute to Van der Merwe, insisting she was the Comrades Marathon's top female legend.

“I feel like someone who could set a record like that 34 years ago, it’s someone you have to respect with everything and Frith will not be forgotten, not by me and not by anyone.

“If you walk around and ask anyone who’s the best Comrades female runner people will, without blinking, say, Frith van der Merwe.

“So I think her legacy will forever continue, but I will do my best to carry the record with pride.”

But this is now the era of the 33-year-old Steyn who holds all four of the main South African road records — women’s marathon, Two Oceans and the Comrades Up and Down runs (Van der Merwe held the same four simultaneously too).

Steyn has time on her side to do more. “I am very fortunate to be holding all four of the records that I have my eye on at the same time ...

“I would love to make sure that I can keep the records as well, so my plan is to improve on the records that I have.”

And fans should enjoy Steyn’s reign while it lasts, especially if it’s going to take another 34 years for a new star to emerge.

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