Louis Massyn set to make Comrades history with 50th appearance

Crossing the finish line will 'be emotional', says the runner. By Sulette Ferreira

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Drawn to stories of true perseverance and human achievement, I was intrigued to learn that one of the most enduring personal milestones in ultramarathon history was unfolding, not in a far-off land, but right here in South Africa, by a South African athlete: a man preparing to run the Comrades Marathon for the 50th time.

Earning even a single Comrades medal places you in a small and elite community. Runners with four or more medals fall within the top 25% of all finishers. Those who reach 20 medals join the revered “1% Club”.

Just 11% of runners earn the prestigious Green Number, awarded to those who complete 10 or more races. Completing 40 or more Comrades Marathons places a runner in an exceptionally rare league — one that few even attempt, let alone reach.

To date, only two runners in Comrades history have reached the milestone of 49 finishes. Barry Holland, with an unmatched streak of 49 consecutive runs, was widely expected to pursue his 50th in 2024. However, because of injury, he was unable to complete the race — and it has since been confirmed that he will not return to try a 50th to complete his quest in 2025.

And so, one man remains - quietly, steadily, on the verge of making history: Louis Massyn.

On 8 June, at the start line of the world's oldest and largest ultramarathon, the 98th Comrades, Massyn, now 74 years old, will again take his place among nearly 23,000 runners. With 49 Comrades medals already to his name, he is on track to become the first person to complete the race for the 50th time.