FILE. Louis Massyn, Comrades Marathon legend, ended his remarkable 51st finish bid with a Did Not Finish at age 75, but his historic 50th finish remains a testament to his enduring spirit and place in ultra-marathon history. Picture: Action Photo
Image: Action Photo
Comrades Marathon legend Louis Massyn was unable to extend his remarkable finishing streak at the Ultimate Human Race on Sunday.
The gruelling up run from Durban to Pietermaritzburg ultimately proved a bridge too far for the athlete who holds the record for the most Comrades finishes.
Massyn had done much of the hard work and even conquered the infamous Polly Shortts climb. He reached the Mkondeni checkpoint in 11 hours, 17 minutes and seven seconds (11:17:07), leaving himself just under 43 minutes to cover the final 6.6km.
But the 75-year-old’s weary legs could not carry him to the finish in time, resulting in a Did Not Finish (DNF) and bringing an end to his bid for a 51st Comrades medal.
Last year, Massyn etched his name even deeper into Comrades folklore when he secured his 50th finish in the gruelling ultra-marathon.
The veteran runner crossed the line in 11 hours, 53 minutes and 14 seconds during the 89.98km down run from Pietermaritzburg to Durban, making it home with just over six minutes to spare before the 12-hour cut-off.
That performance saw Massyn become the first person in Comrades history to complete the race 50 times.
He was assisted by much younger runners on either side of him as he approached the finish line, hunched over and struggling to keep his balance in scenes that captured both the brutality and spirit of the race.
Having entered his first Comrades Marathon in 1973, the only years Massyn did not compete were 2020 and 2021 when the race was cancelled because of the Covid-19 pandemic. He also missed the 2022 edition after a knee injury prevented him from making it to the start line.
While there was no fairytale ending this time, Massyn’s place in Comrades history was secured long ago. Fifty finishes remains one of the most extraordinary achievements the race has ever seen.