Iron will pushes Lowvelders’ bodies and minds beyond the limit at Ironman 70.3 Mossel Bay
Moller and Snyman swim, cycle and run their way to triumph.
Two brave Lowvelders took on and conquered the 2025 Isuzu Ironman 70.3 Mossel Bay on Sunday, November 16.
The Ironman consists of a 1.9km ocean swim, a 90km bike ride and a 21.1km run. It is considered one of the most difficult events in endurance sport: A challenge in which the spirit and heart drive the body when it is running on empty.
Zanelle Moller finished in 07:51:04 and was the 442nd woman to finish overall. Moller completed the swim in 00:43:23, the bike ride in 04:16:29 and the half-marathon in 02:32:48.
The Tricandy Sport athlete had planned to run her debut Comrades this year, but a serious foot injury in October 2024 put an end to her dream. Instead, once ready to train three and a half months ago, she decided to take on a much tougher assignment – the Ironman 70.3 Mossel Bay.
“This was my very first 70.3 Ironman. I did a small 5150 (standard distance triathlon) as training – a 1.5km swim, 40km bike and a 10km run,” she said.
Moller hit a snag just 24 hours before the start. “The morning before race day, walking along the edge of the ocean, I started to feel scared. The ocean was not in the best conditions and looked very choppy.”
But after recovering from a physical setback, she was determined to conquer her fear.
“When I got in the water, I applied the number-one rule my stepdad (All World Ironman athlete, Gerrit Engelbrecht) taught me. That was to swim wide and control my anxiety and breathing. It is very overwhelming out there and you really need to focus on what you are doing. I just tried to keep to my rhythm and that got me to the end.”
After a seven-minute transition she was on her bike.
“What a beautiful scenic route, but when we turned around on the 45km mark we had wind from the front, which you cannot describe to anybody. We also got rain and I felt like giving up 100 times. It was brutal, and when I got into transition two, I didn’t feel like I had any more legs to go out on the run, but I had my Bovril sandwich and I decided to go out and just do what I can.”
Again, her stepfather’s advice was vital to her run. “My stepdad studied the route before-hand and we had three places on the laps where he summoned me to walk even if I felt like I could run. I stuck to the plan, walking and running.”
The tears flowed as she completed her debut Ironman. “The finish was very emotional and overwhelming for me. Once you see the red carpet and know you are about to finish your first 70.3 Ironman, there is a next level sense of accomplishment going through your whole body. I wanted to give up during the bike and run and it was a very big moment for me crossing that finish line. As a triathlete you sacrifice a lot of family, friend and social time to wake up early for training. I am very very grateful and blessed to have the opportunity to be able to be active and healthy and take part in such a huge event.
Moller is grateful towards her trisuit sponsor, Zareyoza Properties. “They believed in me before I believed in myself. Then off course my coach Warren Michael from TriCandy Sport; he took on this journey with me and is such a privilege for me to be part of his team.”
Completing his fifth Ironman and first 70.3 Mossel Bay, Snyman was the 1 227th man to cross the finish line in 07:20:33.
The stopwatch was on 00:35:00 at the end of his swim. He then completed the cycle leg in 03:55:59, and the run in 02:30:50.
“The swim was a bit choppy and challenging, but probably my best yet. I’m a swimmer, so it’s my easiest discipline of the three. The bike leg was very tough – 45km out and back with a monster descent at the turn, which meant an equally monstrous climb in the opposite direction. Legs tired, wind and a bit of rain kept us honest all the way back into transition two,” said Snyman.
“Running on tired legs was challenging, but the run route was amazing with great support from my family and friends. Afterwards my body was great; legs a bit sore and close to cramping – nothing a few beers couldn’t sort out, though. It was an all-round fantastic event and I will definitely be back next year – fitter, stronger and more prepared.
“A massive shout out to my coach, mentor, main motivator and biggest fan – Verena Wagner. Without her, none of this would be possible or really mean anything. She inspires me to be a better version of myself every single day and I really appreciate her unwavering support and guidance,” concluded Snyman.
Both Moller and Snyman showed their iron will in Mossel Bay on Sunday. It was not about placings or times – it was about accomplishment; finishing is a victory.
