GEORGE NEWS - For years, George athlete Eddie Mouton, alongside his brother Jacques, has been at the forefront of road running in the area. 

However, this Sunday, 9 June, marks a particularly significant event for Eddie that means more to him than any other - the Comrades Marathon.

As a young boy of eight years old, growing up in Kroonstad in the Free State, he turned on the TV and saw a lithe, blonde-haired man running from Durban to Pietermaritzburg.

The year was 1981, and Eddie watched as Bruce Fordyce won his first Comrades. From that day it became Eddie's dream to run it. After that, he watched every Comrades Marathon and finally, in 1994, he was on the starting line in Durban.

He describes that day as the most memorable in his running career, and as he rounded the final corner in the then Jan Smuts Stadium in Pietermaritzburg, the tears welled up.

Eddie told George Herald that he is not ashamed to admit that he slept with his finisher's medal for a week. 

"I even wore it when I showered," he laughed. "It was a dream for me, and that's why Comrades means so much. Comrades is everything to me in running. I enjoy trail running, but Comrades remains the ultimate."

Another local, Louis Massyn, is currently the athlete in George with the most Comrades under his belt. This year will mark his 49th race, just one shy of Barry Holland's 50. Holland aims to secure his place as the first person to achieve this milestone in 2024.

Eddie, on the other hand, is gearing up for his 28th race. As someone who trains in the beautiful Outeniqua Mountains, he openly admits that he prefers the up-runs.

"If God keeps me healthy and everything works out, I would be disappointed not to run more than 40 Comrades," he said.

His last up-run silver was back in 2019, and according to Eddie, his training has gone very well. This year however, he is not going to put himself under any pressure by chasing the clock. He just wants to go out and enjoy the run.

Eddie agrees with Fordyce, the 'king' of the Comrades, that the marathon humbles an athlete. As Fordyce once said, "You don't tell the Comrades what time you will run, the Comrades tells you what time you are going to run."

Jacques, the other half of the famous 'running Moutons', is running race number 23 this year. 

For the brothers, running together will always be a very special experience - but it's never an easy thing. 

"One year I will be too strong, and then Jacques will be too strong, so it's not easy. He's a stronger runner than me, so I always need to work harder. Last year we were both strong, and ran a silver together. It was very special," said Eddie.

Jacques Mouton will take part in his 23rd Comrades Marathon this year.

Eddie acknowledges that running this race is a privilege, and ultimately it's about following your dream - just as he did as that eight-year-old in the Free State. "Get out there, life is short, do what makes you happy, and build those memories."

Alongside Massyn and the Moutons, local athletes Kobus Boshoff and Themba Mona will also attempt to run for silver, while Boshoff and Suzaan Bartie will strive to complete their 10th race and earn their green number. 

Michelle Koen and Imke Vreken will be participating in the Comrades for the first time.

Louis Massyn is looking to complete his 49th Comrades Marathon this year.

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