All eyes will be on record-breaking marathon runner Gerda Steyn as she defends her Comrades Marathon title on Sunday, with SuperSport providing unparalleled, extensive coverage across three live channels and over 25 hours of broadcast.
The wait is almost over! Just ONE DAY TO GO until the 49th Comrades Marathon Down Run!
— ComradesRace (@ComradesRace) June 7, 2025
Tomorrow, the streets of Pietermaritzburg will come alive as thousands of determined runners gather at the City Hall, ready to write their names into Comrades history. Feel the anticipation?… pic.twitter.com/vnpEwwcPx5
For Steyn, the iconic ultra-marathon transcends mere competition, holding a deeply personal significance that has shaped her career and life.
“It’s where I found my passion for the sport. It has given me some of the best memories in my life,” Steyn shared with SuperSport, highlighting the profound impact the race has had on her.
Her journey has not only brought her personal fulfilment but also immense joy to those closest to her:
“It has brought so much joy not just to me but to my entire family and all those who have been on this journey with me.”
Beyond the pursuit of victory, Steyn cherishes the human connection fostered by the event.
“It has also taught me that sport is not just about being the winner but also about the relationship and camaraderie among fellow runners.”
UNPARALLELED COVERAGE
SuperSport, your World of Champions, has once again raised the bar, promising unparalleled coverage of The Ultimate Human Race.
SuperSport will be at the forefront of the action, providing unbelievable and unmatched coverage of the Comrades Marathon.
Viewers can expect SuperSport to follow Steyn's every move, ensuring no moment of her title defence is missed, with an unprecedented production featuring three dedicated live broadcast channels, more than 45 cameras capturing every angle, nine major outside broadcast coverage points strategically placed along the route, with multi-camera coverage at both the start and finish lines.
Our thrilling line-up of commentators include road running specialist Mosibodi Whitehead and Olympic broadcaster Gerald de Kock, as well as former Comrades winners Helen Lucre and Bruce Fordyce, while the main anchor for the show is seasoned broadcaster Thato Moeng.
Our on-route presenters including the likes of Vanes-Mari du Toit, OG Molefe, Kriya Gangiah, and social media influencer "Kooks" (Kuhle Sonkosi), bringing you closer to the action.
SuperSport’s main channel, SuperSport Variety 4 (SA) and SuperSport Africa 1 (Rest of Africa), will offer an astounding 13 hours of live coverage, contributing to a total of more than 25 hours of comprehensive Comrades coverage across all platforms.
While the main feed will be spotlighting the elite runners, the second channel feed on SS Variety 3 (SS Africa 2 & SS GOtv Africa 2 in RoA) will provide exclusive focus on the women’s race.
FOCUSING ON FINISHERS
For those eager to spot a familiar face or loved one, a third channel - SuperSport Events on DStv 199 - will offer a dedicated feed of just finishers, allowing viewers to track the progress of some of their friends and family at the halfway mark and finishing line.
The pressure of being a defending champion is a familiar companion for the 35-year-old, yet it's a challenge she embraces.
Steyn shattered the Comrades Down Run record in 2023 with an astonishing 5:44:54 – becoming only the fourth woman to ever complete the race in under six hours.
“There is always a certain amount of pressure that comes with being the defending champion, but I think that the benefit of knowing that I have done it before is much bigger than that,” she says.
Steyn views this pressure not as a burden, but as a source of strength.
“I see pressure as a positive factor. I look at it as if it is nothing other than support and the belief others may have in me.”
'EXTREMELY EXCITED'
Steyn's anticipation for Sunday's race is palpable, admitting it has been a constant presence in her thoughts since her triumphant finish last year.
“I am extremely excited to line up for the 2025 Comrades marathon. It is the race that has been on my mind every single day since crossing the finish line last year in Pietermaritzburg.”
While eyes will be firmly focused on Steyn’s Comrades run, considerable attention will also be placed on last year's men’s winner, the "Flying Dutchman" Piet Wiersma.
Wiersma, who secured his win in 2024 with a remarkable time of 5:25:00, is poised to demonstrate his dominance once again.
As the official broadcaster of The Ultimate Human Race, SuperSport is pulling out all the stops to ensure that the thrills experienced by both elite and social runners on the road are perfectly replicated in the viewing experience.
"This year, as the Comrades Marathon embarks on its iconic 'Down Run,' we at SuperSport are not just broadcasting a race; we are inviting our viewers to experience the very heartbeat of 'The Ultimate Human Race' like never before,” says Rendani Ramovha, CEO of SuperSport.
“We're elevating our coverage to new heights, capturing every heroic stride, every raw emotion, and every moment of triumph and challenge. Prepare to be immersed – because on 8 June, your living room becomes the ultimate vantage point for the most inspiring show of human spirit and endurance.”
Tune in to your World of Champions on Sunday 8 June. More Than A Race – Isiko Mpilo.