Going for his 50th Comrades — in his 70s

Western Cape septuagenarian Louis Massyn hopes he will be the first athlete to complete 50 Comrades ultra-marathons when he crosses the finish line at the People's Park in Moses Mabhida Stadium next Sunday.

Now 74, a young Massyn was inspired by a rousing sermon by then Bishop Amoore in 1973 about the “unmatched” race.

“I sat in the congregation and thought it was something which I might do,” he said.

And so, at 22, he did, finishing in 10 hours 13 minutes, and placed 1,090th. “In those days, there was no need for a qualifier and you needed your own seconders. The entry fee was R4,” he said.

The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) in April announced the official distance of this year's run from Pietermaritzburg to Durban at 89.98km — slightly longer than the finish at Hollywood Bets Kingsmead Stadium — for this year's 22,000 runners.

In 1989 Massyn bagged a silver medal.

“After that I told myself enough is enough; I am never going to train for that again. What you have to realise is that trying for a silver medal takes a lot out of you. You need a lot of mileage on your legs. I would say 1,600km to 1,700km — and it doesn't stop there, it has to be quality training,” said Massyn.

He now has 10 silver medals under his belt.

The Outeniqua Harriers runner says the vaunted spirit of camaraderie keeps him coming back every year. Massyn, who spent most of his working life in the motor industry, says running opened many doors, allowing him to travel the world.

Pretoria-based runner Minkateko Letsoalo said what started out as a recreational running with her mum promoted her to sign up for the Comrades. “Before I started running I was a keen swimmer, when I was 13 and 14,” she said.

She said pushing her body to the limit is something which enticed her into the sport. She admitted the almost 90km run will not be a walk in the park but is looking forward to the camaraderie come Sunday. “I enjoy hearing people when I’m running because it’s where I often get much-needed motivation and support,” said Letsoalo.

Her mother, Pumzi Khumalo, 48, said she was surprised when her daughter shared her Comrades plans.

Khumalo ran the 2013 and 2014 races.

“With me, it was always about running them back to back and then that’s it. But now with my daughter running the race, I had to reconsider and keep running for as long as I can. I think this is going to be my lifestyle,” said Khumalo.

She said her daughter has become a meticulous planner who leaves nothing to chance.

Another first-timer is Yvonne Mkhungo, who is ready to take on the challenge. “I ran 42km at the Durban International Marathon in 4hr 40min, and that was my best time. I guess I am as ready as I can be,” she said.

Training for a marathon demands immense dedication and resilience, something Mkhungo knows all too well. “Preparation requires extensive effort and a clear vision of your goals,” she said.

For her, the biggest challenge has been juggling training with the responsibilities of being a single mother. “There’s never enough time in a day,” she admits.

As a proud mother of a 16-year-old son, Mkhungo embraces the chaos of teen parenting while preparing for the race of a lifetime. “It’s messy, unpredictable — but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I’m ready for whatever comes next.”

Recognising running the marathon is as much a mental challenge as it is a physical one, she emphasises the importance of fighting off negative thoughts.

“Staying focused on my own race is crucial. We live in a world where it’s copy and paste, but why not be yourself, and proudly so? We can admire others, yet choose to be 'authentically you' without any doubts.”

Also motivated is Sinethemba Tshangase, 27, the recent silver medallist at the South African Athletics Championships, who will run in Group 1 and is hoping for a top-10 finish.

“My training for Comrades has gone incredibly well. After challenges last season due to an injury, this year has started off pain-free and strong. Since last November, I've focused on my preparation and I believe it will pay off,” he shared.

Tshangase, from uMzimkhulu, is champion of the Harry Gwala marathon and has put in the rigorous training under the watch of seasoned athlete and coach Mthandeni Nene.

“It’s painful in every sense,” said Nene. “You sacrifice family time, endure demanding work schedules, and wake up at dawn or hit the gym in the late afternoon. Your diet is strictly regulated and you must adjust your lifestyle to maintain your pace.”

Nene elaborated on the financial sacrifices involved. “You spend your last bit of money on the right food, sometimes leaving your cupboard bare and your family finances strained. It’s a daunting realisation that your passion can overshadow other life necessities.”

Dr Vinesh Padayachy, a vascular surgeon at Lenmed eThekwini Hospital and Heart Centre, said runners must prioritise hydration, keep their blood pressure in check and remain mindful of any underlying conditions that might disrupt circulation, such as varicose veins or clotting disorders — especially for those over 40 or with a medical history.

“Avoiding pitfalls like skipping recovery days, running through pain, or experimenting with new foods or gear on race day is essential. Don't ignore symptoms such as leg pain or swelling, which can lead to serious complications.”