Olympic champion Caster Semenya and Comrades Marathon legend Gerda Steyn will take center stage at the 2025 Comrades Marathon, embodying the spirit of resilience, endurance, and South African excellence on race day.
OMO has stepped into the 2025 Comrades Marathon with its powerful ‘Stay Unbeatable’ campaign — a celebration of grit, endurance, and the unstoppable spirit of South Africans. At the heart of this campaign are two icons of resilience: Olympic champion Caster Semenya and Comrades legend Gerda Steyn.
On race day, Semenya will serve as the face of OMO’s presence, offering words of encouragement at key points along the route, including the infamous Essex Terrace climb — one of the race’s most punishing stretches. She’ll also welcome runners at the finish line in Durban, where she’ll be joined by Steyn, who returns in pursuit of a potential fourth Comrades title after her 2024 victory.
The duo will headline the ‘Stay Unbeatable’ booth — a premium recovery zone that celebrates not just physical endurance, but the mental and emotional strength required to conquer the world’s most iconic ultramarathon.
“Being at Comrades this year is a powerful reminder that greatness isn’t just about winning — it’s about showing up and staying the course,” says Semenya. “Resilience means pushing through, even when it hurts.”
Gerda Steyn, whose own journey embodies that relentless determination, will join the celebration post-race, embodying the spirit of a champion who runs not just for titles, but to inspire.
“Partnering with Comrades is a natural extension of our ‘Stay Unbeatable’ movement,” says Mphothe Elizabeth Mokwena, Unilever’s Homecare Marketing Lead. “Every runner has a story of perseverance — and icons like Caster and Gerda remind us that resilience is a victory in itself.”
As the runners tackle the demanding course, OMO’s immersive race-day experiences — including the Unbeatable Arch at Essex Terrace — aim to uplift and energize, turning moments of struggle into milestones of triumph.
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