Local athletes rule triathlon
A total of 50 participants, some wearing sponsors Funkypants, and some who are training for iron man challenges, braced the water and off-road tracks.
The local athletes who participated in the Longmere Off-road Triathlon showed their steel on Saturday, upstaging participants from elsewhere. A total of 50 participants, some wearing sponsors Funkypants, and some who are training for iron man challenges, braced the water and off-road tracks.
The exception was that the first two men to finish the standard male open had travelled from Johannesburg to brace White River’s water. Steven Bornman with 3.33:41 and Rodney Bornman with a time of 03:42:14 were first and second respectively. They were followed by Brandon Hoffman whose time of 04:12:31 placed him third.
The winner of the standard female open, which drew only two contestants, was Hazyview’s Natia van Heerden. She completed the swim, six laps on a bicycle and four laps on foot in a time of 03:30:32. Carine Gagiano finished in a time of 04:19:16.
The male sprint open was won by Roger Mortlock of White River in a time of 01:32:23. He was followed by Reuben Liebenberg with 01:44:21 and Frans-Josef Mentz with 01:48:15.
The winner of the ladies sprint, Sarah Ratnarajah, also hails from White River. She finished in 02:02:37. Nicola Moffett’s 02:08:33 and Ilse Fritz’s 02:19:12 were enough to place them second and third.
Among the children who took part in the race, Dylan Nel, was the winner with a time of 32:41, and Thomas Williams came second with 33:21. Both of Penryn learners.
The girls winner was Wilmien van der Merwe of Laerskool Bergland with 32:10. She was followed by Ainsli de Beer of Penryn with 32:32 with Nina Venter of Bergland’s time of 33:24 placing her third.
