Machine Mortlock unstoppable at Ehlanzeni Triathlon champs
Last Sunday was the first time Mpumalanga had its own triathlon trials.
At last Mpumalanga has its own triathlon trials. It was particularly welcomed by Ehlanzeni Triathlon champs winner Roger Mortlock
on Sunday.
He was victorious in each of the 1,5km-swim, 40km-cycle and 10km-run events to finish the standard race at Longmere Dam in a fast 02:22:29.
Therefore the 30-year-old relatively newcomer to triathlon, qualified to represent Ehlanzeni at the SA Championships.
It takes place at the Aldam Holiday Resort in the Free State on March 19.
Last year he had to qualify by participating in Gauteng, before going on to represent the country at the ITU World Triathlon Championships in Mexico.
There he finished 17th in his age group (subveterans, 30 to 34 years). This year he is targeting a top-10 finish at the same event in the Netherlands.
Since only the Ehlanzeni District is active in the province, all Mpumalanga triathletes could register and compete under Ehlanzeni
A total of 152 participated in the event at Longmere Dam. It was supported and organised well.
Ehlanzeni Triathlon Association’s president, Richard Joubert said, “We are very happy that so many people supported it.”
Mortlock said it was awesome, and singled out the organisers for pushing for the event to be held in the province.
- Read more: Could 2017 be Mortlock’s year?
As both the routes on land required steep uphill climbs, many experienced athletes considered it one of the toughest qualifiers.
Yet Mortlock was unfazed, as was senior woman Natia van Heerden (26), who came in at 02:45:41, and with it posted the second fastest time of the day overall.
Among the seniors, Darryn Berry’s 02:47:24 was fastest in the age group. He was followed by Ivan Rademeyer in 02:57:21 and Altus Neethling in 03:25:39.
Subveteran Justin Victor’s 2:58:49 placed him second in the age group after Mortlock, and allowed him to qualify for the provincial team. Alec Blair finished third in 03:16:31.
Posting the fourth fastest time, Gerrit Engelbrecht finished in 02:56:48 that ensured he too will join the provincial team. Fellow veteran, well-known paddler, Gustav Smook, finished his triathlon in 03:44:12.
Masters runner, Bruce Leslie, completed the distance in 03:26:10, enough to see him through. In the same category, Roy Heine was second in 03:53:58.
Famous marathoner, Iain Toomey, was included in the team at the age of 63 after finishing in 04:12:39, the only grandmaster man competing.
- Also see: Chicago is his next great target
Among the women, regular Comrades runner Elsa de Beer, who was included in the provincial team, won the subveteran category in 03:11:27. She was followed by Donne Green in 03:35:16 and Lyndall Herbst-Dickens in 04:14:00.
Masters runner Kay Leigh’s 04:06:34 won the category, and also qualified.
In the sprint where a runner completed a 750m-swim, 20km-cycle and 5km-run, Asher Biggs (18) won the junior section in 01:13:10.
He won a bronze medal at the SA Triathlon last year, and was chosen to represent South Africa at the UIPM Biathle/Triathle World Championships in Florida. Because of his victory, he will also represent the province at the national champs.
In the same category, Frans-Josef Mentz placed second in 01:22:06, Christiaan Stroebel third and Steph du Toit in 01:41:04 fourth. Adriaan Labuschagne led the seniors in 01:30:59 with Hendrik Tryhou second in 01:33:04 and Bruce McQueen in 01:35:24.
Jo Mari Smith was the fastest woman, ending in 01:38:05 and Pierette Labuschagne in 01:44:02 with Melissa Mei van Zyl third in 01:47:12.
Joubert added that they were particularly proud of the small children who participated in the Kids’ event.
“We hope to use the event to grow the sport in the Lowveld,” he concluded.
The full team that will represent the province are:
Youth Super Sprint
Nicolas Smook, Tayla Nortje, Kyla Labuschagne, Jan-Albert Mentz and Leonard Brugman
Junior Sprint
Jeanne Joubert, Steph du Toit, Frans-Josef Mentz, Tamryn Hawley and Asher Biggs
Standard
Roger Mortlock, Justin Victor, Donne Green, Grozelle Stoltz, Elsa de Beer, Gerrit Engelbrecht, Richard Joubert, Bruce Leslie, Leigh Kay and Iain Toomey.
- See full results here.
