Louis Massyn’s, half-century of Comrade Marathon finishes crowned a night celebrating courage, compassion and commitment at the 2025 GEMS Spirit of Comrades Awards.
Like the rhythmic patter of running shoes on an open road, Massyn’s name beats in time with the history of the Comrades Marathon.
On Friday, 24 October 2025, fittingly on his 75th birthday, the veteran was honoured with the inaugural Comrades Lifetime Achievement Award after completing his 50th Comrades Marathon earlier this year.
Massyn has become the living heartbeat of The Ultimate Human Race. From his debut in 1973, he was “hooked,” and over five decades he’s crossed the finish line 50 times.
He ran 47 of them consecutively until 2019, and three more since 2023.
At 74, he once again took on the road between Pietermaritzburg and Durban, proving that courage and endurance is not measured in years.
“Louis’ lifetime commitment to The Ultimate Human Race is beyond extraordinary,” said CMA Chairperson Mqondisi Ngcobo.
“His story will inspire an even stronger spirit of humanity and camaraderie in every runner, member and supporter.”
The award was presented at the GEMS Spirit of Comrades Awards Gala, hosted in Durban in partnership with the Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS).
It was a celebration of courage, perseverance and Ubuntu that fuels the world’s oldest and largest ultramarathon.
“GEMS is proud to partner with the Comrades Marathon Association in celebrating the Spirit of Comrades,” said Dr Vuyo Gqola, GEMS Chief Operations Officer.
“This partnership aligns with our mission to promote health and wellness, ensuring that everyone, regardless of background, can pursue their dreams.”
Spirit of Humanity: Stories That Inspire
This year’s GEMS Spirit of Comrades Awards drew 368 nominations from runners, supporters and the public. Three extraordinary individuals were honoured:
- Sphamandla “Spha” Maduna, born with cerebral palsy, finished his first Comrades in 10:52:46, living his motto that “disability does not mean inability.”
- Prince Nemutanzhela, a security officer from Tembisa, completed his debut Comrades just two weeks after being shot in a home invasion that claimed his friend’s life — a wounded hero who refused to quit.
- Pogiso Maroku, a soldier running his first Comrades, sacrificed his own race to help a struggling comrade reach the finish, proving that a true soldier never leaves anyone behind.
The three recipients of GEMS Spirit of Comrades Awards in 2025 are (from left) Prince Nemutanzhela, Sphamandla Maduna and Pogiso Maroku. Images courtesy Comrades Marathon Association.
Champions Beyond the Finish Line
Among the night’s other heroes, Bob Norris of the Daily Dispatch was named Journalist of the Year for 45 years of capturing Comrades’ stories. Mahesh Ratanjee, running in memory of his late daughter, raised R320 000 for the Community Chest and claimed Top Fundraiser honours for the second year running.
The inaugural Top Club Fundraising Award went to Run Zone Athletics Club, whose 310 finishers raised R176 267 for charity. Portugal’s Tiago Dionisio, a 23-time Comrades finisher and Unogwaja Challenge participant, earned the first Top International Ambassador Award for promoting the race abroad.
The new Hermes Award went to Steven Maliszewski, a 12-time finisher and coach from Texas who has raised over R1.5 million for Ethembeni School. The Chairperson’s Award went to Pie-Pacifique Kabalira-Uwase, a survivor of the Rwandan Genocide whose remarkable journey from car guard to businessman and Comrades finisher epitomises endurance.
Long Service Awards recognised volunteer Lauretta Dunn (45 years), Biddulphs International (41 years), and Form-scaff, for over four decades of steadfast partnership and logistical excellence.
In the end, the spotlight belonged to Louis Massyn, the man who turned a race into a lifelong pilgrimage. His golden milestone reminds every runner that the Comrades Marathon isn’t only about distance and time, but about dedication, humility and the unbreakable will to keep moving forward, one step at a time.
