Latest news with #LouisMassyn
eNCA
3 days ago
- Business
- eNCA
UK runner races to feed 2,000 people
JOHANNESBURG - British ultramarathon runner Graham Wells is gearing up for his 8th Comrades Marathon this Sunday. READ: Veteran runner Louis Massyn to make Comrades history He plans to cover the nearly 90 kilometres without shoes. It's not just about endurance, it's a mission to raise funds for the Pietermaritzburg Homeless Network. The money will help serve 2,000 warm meals to people without food or shelter this winter. Wells discussed the project with eNCA.
IOL News
3 days ago
- General
- IOL News
Louis Massyn aims for historic 50th Comrades Marathon medal
Louis Massyn is ready to make history and claim his 50th medal at the Comrades Marathon on Sunday Image: Supplied 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. Louis Massyn, left, and Craig Fowels at the finish of the 2024 Comrades Marathon. The pair ran the last 15km together Image: Supplied "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 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 has completed all six World Marathon Majors (Tokyo, London, Boston, Berlin, Chicago and New York) and earned the prestigious six star medal.
The Citizen
5 days ago
- Health
- The Citizen
Five tips for novices from Comrades Marathon legend Louis Massyn
From the expo to the finish, Louis Massyn offers five pieces of advice for less experienced Comrades runners. Louis Massyn will aim for his 50th Comrades finish in Durban next week. Picture: Deidre Cloete/Deds Photography For any Comrades Marathon novice, the gruelling race can be intimidating. So for any athletes who haven't got a great deal of experience at the annual ultra-marathon, to be held in KwaZulu-Natal next week, advice can be useful. Who better to dish it out, we figured, than the man who is aiming to become the first person to finish the 90km race 50 times. This is what 74-year-old Louis Massyn had to say, in his own words… Expo caution Do not try out new samples or gels. There can be implications and it's not worthwhile. The 32Gi gel that works for me might not work for you, so whatever you consume ahead of the race needs to have been tried before. Also, if you buy new shoes at the expo, don't wear them during the race because it can cause blisters. For the same reason, don't wear new socks on race day. Arrive early Get to the start at least an hour before the race begins. You need to find your start batch, and the field at the start stretches further in Pietermaritzburg than it does in Durban because the road is narrower, so you might need to do some walking to find your batch. If you're travelling from Durban on the morning of the race, give yourself enough time to deal with the traffic, which can be chaotic. Morning refreshments I have a FutureLife shake in the morning, around two or three hours before the start. You should have something to give you energy after you get up. It's also important to take an extra bottle of liquid with you because the first few refreshment stations can get crowded and it can be challenging to access the tables. Eating food This can be risky for hygienic reasons, if you're relying on refreshment stations for food. Runners are sweating and then touching the plates and the food, and I know of a lot of people who have picked up stomach problems. If you do take that risk and eat at refreshment stations during the race, which might be necessary if you're hungry, don't eat anything you are not already used to eating. Finding supporters At the finish, one of the biggest challenges is finding your family, friends and supporters. I think it's best to agree on a meeting point in advance which is near the finish area. Find a landmark nearby and go there the day before the race so everyone in your group knows where to go to meet each other after the race.
