Kona beckons for Iron Lady
Desiree Dickinson, a former Benoni High School pupil and ex-Benoni resident, outdid herself at the recent Ironman African Championship in Port Elizabeth.
The triathlete, who took up the sport in 2013, stormed home to win the 45 to 49 year-old women’s category in PE – an excellent result considering that she has now qualified to represent South Africa, in October, at the 2015 Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii.
Dickinson achieved a brilliant time of 11 hours, 15 minutes and eight seconds to finish as the 30th ranked woman and 229th overall finisher.
She admitted that the long 3.8km swim in the Indian Ocean was the most challenging aspect of her race, as the water was choppy.
She came out of the water in eighth position and was made to work hard in the cycling and running disciplines.
By the end of a fantastic 90km cycle ride, Dickinson had found herself in first place in her category and stayed in front after her run to claim victory in her category.
