Gerda Steyn claimed a spectacular record-breaking third consecutive Two Oceans Marathon title in Cape Town on Sunday morning.

The 32-year-old become the first woman in 22 years to claim a hat-trick of victories in the race.

In addition, she became the first woman to break the 3-and-a-half hour barrier in the race, stopping the clock on the UCT rugby fields in a time of 3:29:42, obliterating Frith van der Merwe’s previous course record of 3:30:36.

“The record stays home. I’m really proud and humbled by that,” she said afterwards.

“It was very tactical. I’ve been focusing on marathons over the past few years so I didn’t always feel so strong, but it worked out.”

GERDA STEYN WON R500 000

Steyn took home R500 000 for her efforts, thanks to the winner’s prize of R250 000 and an additional R250 000 for breaking the record.

Irvette van Zyl, who led for large parts of the closing stages, ensured a South African 1-2 by finishing in a time of 03:30:31, which was inside of Van der Merwe’s record.

Sponsors Totalsports surprised Van Zyl with a R50 000 reward for also beating Van der Merwe’s 1989 time.

Meanwhile, there was heartache in the men’s race for South Africa’s Nkosikhona Mhlakwana, who missed out on a maiden title in ding-dong battle with eventual winner, Ethiopia’s Edndale Belachew.

Belachew finished in a time of 3:09:05, just three seconds ahead of Mhlakawana’s 3:09:08.

The men’s record remains the scarcely believable 3:03:44 by Thompson Magawana in 1988.