Koll, Fesel cross the line for the 10th time
The 10th anniversary of the gruelling Ironman South Africa, in Port Elizabeth, took place in the Friendly City on Sunday, April 6.
It marked a special occasion for Benoni residents Caroline Koll and Kristian Fesel, who both competed in their 10th Ironman event.
Over 2 000 athletes took on the ultimate endurance course, that comprises a 3.8km swim, 180km cycle and 42km run.
Koll, competing in the pro women category, told the City Times that it was a “tough day and not the race I initially wanted”.
She placed ninth in her category and finished in 194th place overall.
Koll said the race was generally tougher than in previous years and that the change in the course — particularly the bike course (which saw athletes bike two loops of 90km) — made for some tough hill climbs and relatively slow bike times.
A strong easterly wind, dubbed the “Easterly Beasterly”, and gravelly road surfaces gave the competitors an extremely difficult time on the saddle.
When asked whether she will compete in the next Ironman South Africa competition, Koll joked: “Ask me in a week’s time.”
Fesel said he was pleased to complete his 10th Ironman and was glad to get to the finish line in one piece.
He finished in just under the 12-hour mark, and took his final 10km run quite casually.
“It was a brutal day on a new course,” he said.
“It was definitely one of the toughest events that I have done.”
The Farrarmere resident, who describes the sport as “a way of life”, has completed three Ironman events in one calendar year (including taking part in and finishing the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii).
He added that he will definitely return to Port Elizabeth for next year’s Ironman and, in the meantime, will take a short rest period before competing in a few duathlons over winter.
Fesel added that it is a real honour to be among only 23 athletes (including Koll) who took part in Ironman for the 10th time.
