Bumper triathlon on its way
This year’s race in Germiston will see 1 231 individual athletes from 17 countries competing
GERMISTON Lake is set to host another bumper triathlon on November 1 as the Standard Bank 5150 Ekurhuleni African Championship will feature a capacity athlete field, along with some of South Africa’s best standard distance professional athletes in the line-up.
The Standard Bank 5150 Ekurhuleni African Championship takes place for the third time, having become one of the most popular triathlons in South Africa. The event is the flagship race in the Standard Bank 5150 African Triathlon Series and one of 16 of these races across the globe.
This year’s race will see 1 231 individual athletes from 17 countries competing, including 16 professional athletes and 30 teams, the largest field for a non-drafting triathlon in Africa this year.
Spectators will be treated to a feast of world class racing with athletes such as Henri Schoeman and Wian Sullwald, who are known for their exploits on the world stage. Schoeman was part of the mixed relay team that won silver at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Schoeman, who has dominated this race over the past two years, will defend his title for the second successive year with Sullwald once again offering the strongest challenge. Rudolf Naude has shown a lot of promise this year and will also be a contender for a podium finish.
Andrea Steyn, like Schoeman, has never been beaten at the Standard Bank 5150 Ekurhuleni African Championship and defends her title after wins in 2013 and 2014. The vastly experienced Lucie Zelenkova will be tough competition for Steyn.
“The Standard Bank 5150 Ekurhuleni African Championship is now established as one of the premier triathlons in South Africa and offers a great race experience for both seasoned athletes and novices alike.
We are always encouraged by how many new athletes enter this race and the team category is another great way for people to get their first taste of what triathlons are all about,” says Paul Wolff, operations director of IRONMAN South Africa.
The race also marks the one year anniversary of the partnership between IRONMAN South Africa and Standard Bank.
The race will start at 8am and comprises a 1.5km swim, 40km bike ride and 10km run.
