The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) has expressed its sadness at the passing this week of former Comrades Marathon winner and Green Number-holder Jetman Msuthu.
Msuthu completed the Comrades Marathon 14 times between 1988 and 2016, earning three gold medals as well as 10 silvers and one bronze, with his most famous result being the win in 1992.
Msuthu passed away on 15 September, in the same week that his wife also died.
‘Deep sense of sadness’
CMA Chairperson Mqondisi Ngcobo said, “It is with a deep sense of sadness that we join the running fraternity in mourning the loss of our legend and former winner, Mr Jetman Msuthu, who is part of a generation of athletes who participated in our event when we did not even pay prize money.
“They ran this oldest and biggest ultra out of sheer passion, dedication and determination.
“Msuthu won the race in 1992 and was the second person of colour, after the late Sam Tshabalala, to join the list of men and women who were first to cross the finish line.
“We are very sad to lose this legendary athlete, and on behalf of the Comrades Marathon Board, staff, ROC, sponsors, suppliers and members, we wish to pass our condolences to the Msuthu family and the running fraternity for this great loss,” added Ngcobo.
““I met Mr Msuthu in person in 2022 when he donned his winner’s jacket for the first time, after the CMA Board, under the leadership of Cheryl Winn, took a decision to honour past winners retrospectively each year until we have covered everyone.
“I was touched by his humble and down-to-earth demeanour. Mr Msuthu will be solely missed by not only his family, but by the running fraternity as a whole.”
Stellar Running Record
Born in 1957, Msuthu grew up in a small village named Lukholo, near Bizana in the Eastern Cape.
He began running at the age of 18, completing his first marathon, and carried on running when he moved to the then Eastern Transvaal (now Mpumalanga) in 1975 to work at the Evander Gold Mine.
He arrived on the Comrades scene with a proverbial splash, earning a gold medal with a sixth position on debut with a 5:49:32 finish, followed by three silvers, but it was 1992 that he is most famous for.
That year he finished second in 5:46:11, behind race winner Charl Mattheus (5:42:34), and when he crossed the line, he actually thought he was fourth, until corrected by journalists at the finish.
An even bigger surprise lay in store, however, as a few weeks later, it was announced that Mattheus had tested positive for traces of a banned substance due to taking over-the-counter medicine for a throat infection.
He was subsequently stripped of the win, and Msuthu was declared the winner.
Represented South Africa
In 1993, Jetman Msuthu was selected to represent South Africa at the 100km World Championships in Belgium, where he was part of the victorious South African quartet that claimed the team gold medal.
The following year, he earned his third Comrades gold by finishing eighth in 5:54:27, and he placed 15th and 16th in the next two years, also with sub-6:00 finishes.
He earned a further five silver medals from 1998 to 2002, now running in the 40-plus age category, then took a long break from the race.
He entered but did not start the 2010 race, then ran one more time in 2016, now in the 50-plus category, signing off with a solid 9:38:48 to add a bronze medal to his collection.
Respected Champion
Many have paid tribute to the memory of the highly respected and much-loved former race winner.
CMA General Manager Alain Dalais says, “I’m very sad to hear of the passing of Jetman Msuthu. The Comrades Marathon is a test of spirit, endurance, and strength, and his victory in 1992 was a testament to his incredible will and dedication.
“His legacy will undoubtedly live on through the inspiration he provided to countless runners and South Africans, and his name is etched into the history of the Comrades as well as the hearts of those who admired him.
“My deepest condolences to his family, friends, and all who were touched by his remarkable life. May his memory be a blessing to us all.”
‘Wonderful man’
Former CMA Chairperson and 1982 Comrades Marathon women’s winner Cheryl Winn says, “Jetman was a wonderful man and a worthy Champion of the 1992 Comrades Marathon.
“Sadly, he has the distinction of being the only winner, male or female, in the 98-year history of the race who never experienced the thrill of breaking through the winner’s tape, nor being celebrated and hailed as the winner on race day.
“Nonetheless, he was acknowledged, highly respected and warmly welcomed into the exclusive club of Comrades winners, and with both enormous pride and humility, he wore the title of Champion for the next 33 years.
“The last time I had the pleasure of spending time with Jetman was at the 2022 Comrades Marathon, where he met up with his old ‘comrade,’ Hoseah Tjale, and they spent a wonderful day reminiscing about old times.
“He will be missed in his community, where he both mentored and inspired young athletes.
“My sincere condolences to his family and friends. Rest in peace, Comrades Champion.”
Remembered fondly
The 1992 Comrades Marathon winner is also remembered fondly by some of the leading runners of his day, with nine-time Comrades Marathon winner Bruce Fordyce saying, “My favourite memory of Jetman is how humble and gracious he was, and he always laughed when I teased him about not being able to carry the Winner’s Baton in 1992.
“But he seemed genuinely overcome with emotion when some of us arranged for him to be photographed carrying it at the Comrades Marathon Association’s Centenary Celebration Run in 2021.”
Another friend and rival from that era, 1991 Comrades Marathon winner Nick Bester, says, “It’s with deep sadness that I heard about the passing of Jetman, a friend and team-mate representing South Africa at the World 100km Championships in Belgium in 1993, where we won the gold medal in the team category.
“Our team consisted of Cornet Matomane, Zephania Ndaba, Charl Mattheus, Mark Page, Jetman and I, with Bruce Fordyce and the late Vreni Welch as our team managers. Charl and Mark did not finish the race, so Cornet, Zephania, Jetman and I counted for the team prize.
“Condolences to his family – he will be missed!”
