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The Citizen
10 hours ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
City of Ekurhuleni runners celebrate medal wins at Comrades Marathon
Members of the City of Ekurhuleni Athletic Club did their city and club exceptionally proud at the Comrades Marathon. This year's race, held on June 8, covered 89.98km, and was a down run from Pietermaritzburg to Durban. The club was represented by 36 athletes at the 98th edition of the marathon. They were accompanied by a support team, who ensured the runners had a positive and memorable race day experience, and Ward 76 Clr Thulani Simelane. Twenty-six athletes completed the race, with five not finishing and five recorded as not started. The club's athletes bagged 26 medals – one silver, seven Bill Rowan (bronze centre with silver ring), two Robert Mtshali (titanium), eight bronze, and eight Vic Clapham (copper). The athletes and their times were: • Kamogelo Phogole: 7:14:39 (personal best and club record) • Mokgalong Nchabeleng: 7:55:50 (personal best) • Hoffney Tjiane: 8:11:57 • Humbulani Makhari: 8:16:06 (personal best) • Tshepo Ntswane: 8:46:27 • Kwena Mangala: 8:50:50 • Lucky Bosogo: 8:54:55 • Noko Matlou: 8:58:05 (personal best) • Eric Simina: 9:05:40 (personal best) • Leshisa Dhlamini: 9:53:51 • Sepitle Leshilo: 10:19:39 • Bonginkosi Mabala: 10:23:10 • Thato Mamabolo: 10:23:58 • Sibusiso Langa: 10:25:29 • Patrick Sentsho: 10:32:42 • Moemisi Tabane: 10:32:42 • Mamapote Mohube: 10:38:44 • Special Mhlanga: 10:41:30 • Menelisi Ndlamlenze: 11:01:27 • Kedibone Msiza: 11:26:30 • Amelia Masola: 11:39:31 • Mdumiseni Mkhize: 11:41:51 • Rudi Abrahams: 11:46:49 • Thabang Moloto: 11:53:44 • Lufuno Monyai: 11:56:55 • Phumzile Magagula: 11:59:33 For Dalpark resident Sepitle Leshilo, this was his 11th Comrades Marathon. Last year, the 57-year-old was the recipient of a Green Number, which signifies that a runner has completed 10 or more races. This achievement earns runners a permanent race number they can use in future races. The Green Number Club is an exclusive group that recognises and honours these dedicated runners. Another of the club's athletes, Patrick Sentsho, received his Green Number this year. It is a double win for Sentsho as he is also celebrating his 50th birthday this month. 'Congratulations to all the citizens, and special thanks to the supporting team,' said the club's marketing manager, Noko Matlou. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
City of Ekurhuleni Athletic Club celebrates Comrades medals and milestones
Members of the City of Ekurhuleni Athletic Club did their city and club exceptionally proud at the Comrades Marathon. This year's race, held on June 8, covered 89.98km, and was a down run from Pietermaritzburg to Durban. The club was represented by 36 athletes at the 98th edition of the marathon. They were accompanied by a support team, who ensured the runners had a positive and memorable race day experience, and Ward 76 Clr Thulani Simelane. Twenty-six athletes completed the race, with five not finishing and five recorded as not started. The club's athletes bagged 26 medals – one silver, seven Bill Rowan (bronze centre with silver ring), two Robert Mtshali (titanium), eight bronze, and eight Vic Clapham (copper). The athletes and their times were: • Kamogelo Phogole: 7:14:39 (personal best and club record) • Mokgalong Nchabeleng: 7:55:50 (personal best) • Hoffney Tjiane: 8:11:57 • Humbulani Makhari: 8:16:06 (personal best) • Tshepo Ntswane: 8:46:27 • Kwena Mangala: 8:50:50 • Lucky Bosogo: 8:54:55 • Noko Matlou: 8:58:05 (personal best) • Eric Simina: 9:05:40 (personal best) • Leshisa Dhlamini: 9:53:51 • Sepitle Leshilo: 10:19:39 • Bonginkosi Mabala: 10:23:10 • Thato Mamabolo: 10:23:58 • Sibusiso Langa: 10:25:29 • Patrick Sentsho: 10:32:42 • Moemisi Tabane: 10:32:42 • Mamapote Mohube: 10:38:44 • Special Mhlanga: 10:41:30 • Menelisi Ndlamlenze: 11:01:27 • Kedibone Msiza: 11:26:30 • Amelia Masola: 11:39:31 • Mdumiseni Mkhize: 11:41:51 • Rudi Abrahams: 11:46:49 • Thabang Moloto: 11:53:44 • Lufuno Monyai: 11:56:55 • Phumzile Magagula: 11:59:33 For Dalpark resident Sepitle Leshilo, this was his 11th Comrades Marathon. Last year, the 57-year-old was the recipient of a Green Number, which signifies that a runner has completed 10 or more races. This achievement earns runners a permanent race number they can use in future races. The Green Number Club is an exclusive group that recognises and honours these dedicated runners. Another of the club's athletes, Patrick Sentsho, received his Green Number this year. It is a double win for Sentsho as he is also celebrating his 50th birthday this month. 'Congratulations to all the citizens, and special thanks to the supporting team,' said the club's marketing manager, Noko Matlou. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
‘I never gave up': Springs SAPS officer earns coveted Green Number at Comrades Marathon
The Springs SAPS and the local CPF congratulated four of their officers who participated in the 2025 Comrades Marathon in Durban. Captain Sagathavan Pather, Constable Halalisani Dlomo, Sergeant Jabulani Nkwinka, and Sergeant Mmeselane Ramoshu represented the station on Sunday. Pather was running his 15th Comrades Marathon and had already completed 10 races. This year, he was awarded the prestigious Green Number, given to runners who complete 10 Comrades Marathons. Pather told the publication that he was happy with his achievement and that his team was there to share in the moment. He said his running journey began in 1993, but he gave up and only returned in 2000. That year, he ran the Comrades but did not finish, which demotivated him. He made another attempt in 2010, but again failed to complete the race. 'My dad is the one who got my brothers and me into running. But because there were so many of us, he couldn't afford running shoes for all of us, so we ran barefoot. I always told myself that I would finish one day, and I never gave up on that dream of getting a medal,' he said. Pather returned in 2011, determined to earn a medal — and that year, he completed his first Comrades Marathon, finishing in 11 hours and 43 minutes. He said that getting the Green Number had been his goal since the day he returned in 2011. Despite the challenges and doubts he faced along the way, Pather said: 'Getting the Green Number is like reaching a new milestone. My aim was just to get one and be done. But the next day, I woke up saying, 'I need to get another Green Number,' because I've seen people older than me achieving them.' Pather was the first officer in Springs to participate in the marathon in 2011, which led him to recruit other officers to follow suit. He said that officers would often ask what he did to stay fit, and he would encourage them to run. Pather added that balancing work, training, and a social life is difficult, but discipline is key. ALSO CHECK: VLU-lede hoor van die verskil tussen mans en vroue by maandelikse vergadering 'We were fortunate to have a management team that understood our love for running. When I asked for time to train, there was some hesitation, but in the end, we were lucky to get Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays off,' he said. One of the officers recruited by Pather was Sergeant Ramoshu. Ramoshu joined the Comrades in 2022 and earned his first bronze medal. He said he became part of the team after he hung up his boots following many years of playing soccer. 'Soccer was my main sport, but at the age of 45, I realised the younger players were too fast for me. I stopped playing but noticed I was gaining weight. I started using our fitness facility, and that's when I was told there was a running club. I joined soon after,' said Ramoshu. Ramoshu earned his first Bill Rowan medal (silver) on Sunday after finishing in his personal best time of eight hours, 56 minutes. He said that when he saw his time, he couldn't believe it because he hadn't expected to achieve that goal. He added that Dlomo was beside him most of the way, but he had to pick up the pace to secure the medal. 'When I got the medal, I was so happy. It made me realise that my new goal is to earn only silver medals from now on,' said Ramoshu. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Daily Maverick
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Maverick
Louis Massyn — how to run a life that works
What does it take to run the Comrades Marathon 50 times? Guts. This quiet principle, offered by Charlie Munger, the legendary investor and lifelong partner of Warren Buffett, involved a deceptively simple rule — one he believed could unlock success in almost any field: take a simple, basic idea and take it very seriously. It's a principle that has guided brilliant minds in business. But I was about to witness what it looks like when lived out not in a boardroom, but on the road. Quite literally, on the run. 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 into an exceptionally rare league — one that few even attempt, let alone reach. To date, only two runners in Comrades history have reached the extraordinary milestone of 49 finishes. Barry Holland, with an unmatched streak of 49 consecutive runs, was widely expected to pursue his 50th in 2024. However, due to injury, he was unable to complete the race — and it has since been confirmed that he will not return to attempt 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 2025, at the start line of the world's oldest and largest ultramarathon, the 98th Comrades Marathon, 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. Reaching such a milestone might seem almost unimaginable. Stuart Mann explains in a piece published in The Running Mann, that fewer than 10 individuals worldwide are believed to have reached this benchmark. Among them is Dave McGillivray, who completed the Boston Marathon 53 consecutive times by April 2025. In South Africa, only one person — Allan Ferguson — is known to have matched this level of consistency, having run the Jackie Gibson Marathon, now the Johannesburg City Marathon, 50 times. 50 Comrades I sought to interview Massyn, the man who has spent more time on the Comrades route than any human alive: 18 days, 6 hours, 36 minutes, and 19 seconds. Not only to document the statistics, but to come to know the person behind the numbers. What kind of mindset sustains this level of endurance? Why did he take such a simple idea so seriously? We met just a few days after the Two Oceans Marathon in April 2025. Asked what thoughts might flood his mind when he crosses the finish line for the 50th time, Massyn responds, with a quiet, reflective smile: 'I can't even imagine… but it will be emotional — just like the 49th was.' And who would be foremost in his thoughts as he crosses that historic finish line for the 50th time? 'Rita, my wife — she is my biggest supporter,' he says. From the outset, his warm, unhurried manner made it clear: this was never just a story about running. It is a story about a lifetime shaped by purpose, resilience and profound humility. So, where did it all begin? In the pews of the Holy Cross Anglican Church in Odendaalsrus in the Free State. During a Sunday service, the bishop used the Comrades Marathon as a powerful metaphor for life. Massyn cannot recall the exact Scripture, but something had shifted. He was determined to run the Comrades. In 1973, he completed his first Comrades race, back when you could simply show up at the city hall, write your name on a board, pay R4.00, and be enrolled — no qualifying race required. No timing chip. Massyn finished his first race in 10 hours and 13 minutes, placing 1,009th. A humble beginning of an incredible legacy. His first pair of running shoes came from his mother, who bought him the most expensive pair in the shop for R23. The salesperson advised him to buy a second pair of shoes, as a single pair might not survive the gruelling distance. Taking this advice, he acquired a more affordable pair specifically for the race. The original pair of Adidas holds a special place; he had them bronzed. Massyn has remained loyal to one brand — Adidas — throughout his career. On the occasion of his 40th Comrades, the brand returned the loyalty: 40 pairs of running shoes in a big commemorative wall decoration, now hanging in the clubhouse in Welkom. Two Oceans and international marathons In April 2025, Massyn achieved another extraordinary milestone: his 48th finish at the Two Oceans ultra-marathon in Cape Town. First run in 1970, this year marked the 55th edition of the iconic race, and he stands alone as the only athlete to have participated in every one since his debut in 1976. Six of those races earned him the coveted silver medal. His 30th Two Oceans marathon, run in 2006, stands out as a favourite. That year, he ran alongside his dear friend, Blackie Swart, who ran ahead at each water point to announce Massyn's milestone — a gesture that captured the camaraderie and spirit that defines the Two Oceans experience for him. In 2022, after recovering from a meniscus injury — the same injury that cost him his record of consecutive Comrades finishes — Massyn set his sights beyond South African shores. Within the span of three weeks, he completed the London Marathon, the Chicago Marathon and the Detroit Marathon — an extraordinary feat. This remarkable effort helped him earn the prestigious Six Star Medal, awarded to runners who complete all six major world marathons: New York, Berlin, Boston (where he had already been honoured as a VIP in 2021), London, Chicago and Tokyo, which he completed in 2023. Now, Massyn has set his sights on a new goal: Sydney, aiming to add the upcoming Sydney Marathon, officially included as the seventh Abbott World Marathon Major. When asked about his favourite international marathon, he doesn't hesitate: Boston. The rich history of the event captured his heart — and it's made even more special by a signed book he received from Roberta Gibb, the first woman to complete the Boston Marathon, with a personal message wishing him good luck for his 45th Comrades Marathon. Beyond the major city marathons, Massyn has also conquered races across diverse landscapes: the Dubai Marathon, the historic Athens Marathon (from the town of Marathon to Athens), the vibrant Rio Marathon, and the Bachmus Coastal Marathon in Walvis Bay, Namibia. Over the years, he has built friendships across the world, a network established through thousands of shared kilometres, mutual respect and enduring camaraderie. His running career, in both South Africa and abroad, includes victories in the Northern Cape, such as Upington, the Karoo and Prieska. Notably, in 1979, he founded the Kalahari Marathon at Kathu in the Northern Cape, which in 1993 was renamed the Louis Massyn Kalahari Wedloop in his honour. This race has been held 33 times, with Massyn participating in every one. His achievements also include 12 finishes in the demanding Om die Dam ultra-marathon at Hartbeespoort. Louis Massyn's Comrades journey At the Comrades, Massyn wears the permanent race number 403 with pride, a symbol of his lifetime commitment to the event. With a personal best time of 6:25, set in 1981, he has earned an impressive 10 silver medals over his decades-long participation in this gruelling ultramarathon. Looking back over 49 years of Comrades Marathons, a few races stand out vividly: His very first Comrades in 1973 remains special — the starting point of an extraordinary journey. The 10th finish, which earned him his coveted Green Number, is another cherished milestone. And in his 42nd Comrades: running near Field's Hill before Pinetown, a group of supporters broke into a spontaneous version of For He's a Jolly Good Fellow. The song, the smiles, and the celebration have stayed with him. When I asked Massyn why he continues to run the Comrades Marathon, his response was candid: 'There's something indescribable about the moment I stand at the starting line, ready to embark on yet another race. It's hair-raising,' he explained, 'and the satisfaction, when my feet finally touch the grass after the race, is beyond words. Although this year, it will be the first street finish rather than the traditional grass.' Massyn had this to say to first-timers: 'Enjoy the race. There will be challenges — it takes discipline — but enjoy it. Your first Comrades will be your most memorable.' Turning to the mental demands of the race, he shared an analogy: 'A horse can't complete the Comrades, despite its strength. A horse will stop when it's tired. A human can choose to keep going because of mental preparation. It's pain and agony,' he admitted. 'It's not always pleasant.' Carefully attuned to his body, he has learned to rest when needed, respecting the delicate balance between ambition and preservation. For Massyn, the mental preparation comes not only from experience, but from deep curiosity. What drives him is a pure, almost childlike fascination with the Comrades, the Two Oceans, and the spirit of endurance itself. He reads everything he can find: race histories, cut-off times, course changes, weather patterns. His knowledge is encyclopaedic. 'We can't all be in the front,' he says. While the spotlight often shines on the front-runners and recordholders like Bruce Fordyce and Alan Robb, Louis draws attention to the true spirit of the Comrades, the back-runners, the ordinary people doing extraordinary things. 'The soul of the Comrades lies in those who persist, no matter their pace.' It is this fellowship, the motivation from fellow athletes, that has kept him moving forward, year after year. 'I really want to thank my fellow runners for keeping me motivated. I inspire them, and they really do keep me going.' He no longer runs solely for himself. He runs for the legacy he has created — and for a greater cause. Massyn is dedicating his 50th run to support Binah and Legacy Centre, a nonprofit organisation providing vital services to children with special needs, including autism — a cause close to his heart. If he had one word to describe the Comrades? He doesn't hesitate: 'Guts'. So, how seriously did he take it? Since his first race in 1973, he has logged an astonishing 147,000km — the equivalent of running 3,484 marathons. That's an unwavering average of 54.4km every week, for more than half a century. There was a comfortable quietness in the interview, a moment that felt both ordinary and profound. Then Louis looked at me and said almost as an afterthought: 'My life is blessed. I have received so many blessings'. It made me reflect on the quiet forces that have shaped his life: Forty-nine Comrades Marathons; one unwavering partner — his greatest supporter; one trusted brand of running shoes; friendships built over thousands of kilometres; simple ideas — taken seriously.
