The Olympian, Steyn, broke Frith van der Merwe's 34-year-old down-run record as she crossed the finish line at Kingsmead in a time of 5:44:54.

This is close to 10 minutes faster than the previous record. It has to be said that the route this year is the shortest to date in the down-run, with Van der Merwe having to run further. This year the route is 87.7km while when Van der Merwe broke the record it was 98.6km.

It was a full podium for South Africa with Adele Broodryk finishing second while Carla Molinaro took third.

In the men's race, Tete Dijana, who in a new record time as well be stopping the clock in 5:14.01.

He managed to hold off Piet Wiersma of the Netherlands, who was just 7 seconds off the pace. Edward Mothibi took third. Eight of the top ten finishers were South Africans.

Morgan Piek  OFM Sport