Louis Massyn (pictured), a 75-year-old Comrades legend, aims for his 48th Two Oceans Marathon medal in April, joining a group of inspiring octogenarians competing in the Cape Town event. Picture: Action Photo
Image: Action Photo
Following his 50th Comrades Marathon finish last year, Louis Massyn is eyeing his 48th Two Oceans Marathon medal in April.
Last year, the 74-year-old made his way over the finish line in 11 hours 53 minutes and 14 seconds in the 89.98km down run from Pietermaritzburg to Durban.
Making it with just over six minutes before the 12-hour cut-off, Massyn is now the first person to complete the race 50 times.
Now aged 75, Massyn is looking to edge closer to the 50 mark in the Two Oceans 56km event on April 11.
“TTOM (Two Oceans Marathon) has shaped my life,” said Massyn. “Every year the body asks tougher questions, but the heart always knows the answer. As long as I can keep moving forward, I’ll keep coming back.”
Though Massyn is one of the older runners set to line up for the race in Cape Town, he is definitely not the oldest.
Despite the gruelling demands of a road race, there are a host of octogenarians set to take part in the event on April 11 (56km) and 12 (half marathon) in Cape Town.
This year, four runners over the age of 80 will take part in the half marathon, which includes Kaare and Marlene James (both 82), Sibongile Cele (81), Willemien Smuts (85), and Makgoale Magwentshu (71), Nancy Will (73), and Laurence Ashworth (79) in the Ultra Marathon.
Kaare James has 41 medals at Two Oceans, and earned his light blue number last year. Being part of the BNC (Blue Number Club) for runners with 10 or more finishes in the race is a special honour, explains James.