FEATURE
LOUIS MASSYN: It’ s humbling. I never ran for glory – I ran because it filled something in my soul. To feel that love now? It’ s overwhelming. But it’ s not just about me. This medal belongs to every person who’ s run, cheered, handed me a water sachet, or shouted,“ Go Louis!” from the sidelines. I’ m just the guy who didn’ t stop. That’ s all.
ROVING COW: And what advice do you have for anyone sitting on the couch thinking,“ I could never do a Comrades?”
LOUIS MASSYN: Baie dankie, Cow. I’ ll see you on the road – just look for the grey-haired ou with the big grin and the even bigger heart.
LOUIS MASSYN: Hey, if a guy in R4.99 shoes who didn’ t know what carbo-loading was could finish 50 Comrades, you can do one. Start small. Commit. Show up. And never underestimate the power of just putting one foot in front of the other. Also, invest in better shoes than I did.
ROVING COW: King Louis, it’ s been a pleasure. Here’ s to 51, 52, and seeing you smile under that 100th Comrades banner!
first!”“ No, you go first!” But when he couldn’ t line up in 2025 due to injury, it broke my heart. Still, there he was at the finish, waiting for me. That hug at the end? That was decades of respect, pride, and shared pain in one moment. We’ ve got 99 medals between us. And you know what that means.
ROVING COW: 99 medals. 99th Comrades next year. The maths is too poetic! Louis, are you and Barry going to make it 100 for 100?
LOUIS MASSYN: That’ s the dream. I told him,“ Boet, get that leg ready. You’ re not missing next year.” And I’ ll be there too. I always say,“ Ek gaan hardloop tot my bene stompies is.” Even if I have to crawl over that finish line at the 100th – I’ ll do it. With a smile. And probably a couple of stitches!
Louis Massyn, crossing the finish line at 11:53:14, arms outstretched, was greeted by his lifelong Comrades“ rival” Barry Holland. 50 medals. One embrace. Infinite inspiration. Modern Athlete Salutes You, King Louis.
As the sun sets on another chapter in Comrades’ history, one thing is clear: KING LOUIS ISN’ T DONE. And with that 50th medal around his neck, he’ s not running alone – he’ s carrying the spirit of a nation right alongside him.
TO WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW CLICK THE VIDEO BELOW
ROVING COW: The nation is buzzing. Green Lantern Inn is baking cakes in your honour. People are hosting dinners, telling stories about you like you’ re South Africa’ s long-distance version of Madiba. How are you handling the love?
25