Louis Massyn aims for historic 50th Comrades Marathon medal

Louis Massyn is looking forward to making history on Sunday and becoming the first person to achieve 50 Comrades Marathon medals.

Massyn, 74, from George in the Eastern Cape, completed all 49 Comrades Marathon races since first entering in 1973.

"The only events I missed were the two years during the Covid-19 pandemic when the race didn't take place and in 2022 when I entered but did not participate due to a knee injury."I am so thrilled and excited for Sunday. I prefer the down run, so I am really looking forward to it," said Massyn.

This year's running of the iconic race from Pietermaritzburg to Durban will be a challenging 89.98km and with a new street finish outside People's Park.

It is also the 98th edition of the Ultimate Human Race and is the 49th down run.

Massyn, who is running for the Outeniqua Harriers, will leave the Pietermaritzburg City Hall at 6am on Sunday with a special starting batch, including 50 friends from overseas and locally. They will run with him as part of his support group.

"This is going to be an epic finish. I am excited and looking forward to making history. I am especially happy that the 50th run is a downhill race as I prefer going down all the major hills along the route.

"A number of friends and family are heading to KwaZulu-Natal to see me at the finish. It is going to be quite special and for the first time a street finish," he said.

Massyn said the idea of running the Comrades Marathon started in an Anglican church in Odendaalsrus in the Free State.

"I was part of the congregation when the Bishop challenged any runner when he made reference to the Comrades Marathon in his sermon. I then decided that I was going to run the next Comrades Marathon.

"I was 22 years old then and I did not belong to any running club. I paid the R4 entry fee and entered as an independent athlete. At that time you didn't need to run qualifying races to enter. In 1973 I ran my first road race, the Comrades Marathon and it was a down race," he said.

He said at that time they did not receive anything at the finish. Their medal was sent three months later by registered post.Massyn said it has been special to be part of the world's greatest ultra marathons.

"To be part of this historical milestone is unbelievable. A legacy and to be part of the Comrades history. The Comrades Marathon has always been about camaraderie," he said.

Massyn is running this Comrades in support of Binah and Legacy Centre that assists children with special needs.He has completed all six World Marathon Majors (Tokyo, London, Boston, Berlin, Chicago and New York) and earned the prestigious six star medal.