A contingent of Lowvelders took on one of the greatest physical challenges in the world on Sunday, June 7.

The Isuzu Ironman 70.3 Durban consisted of a 1.9km swim, a 90km road bike ride and a 21.1km run.

The best female athlete from the Lowveld was Marise Schutte. She clocked 00:43:02 in the swim, 03:07:38 for the cycle, and 01:53:09 in the half marathon. Her race time of 05:59:37 gave her 10th place in the female 35 to 39 category. She was the 121st female to finish overall.

Barend Erasmus was the first male Lowvelder to finish. His swim time was 00:36:58, he completed the cycle in 03:01:21, and the run in 01:50:36. He was 59th in the male 30 to 34 category.

It was a special Isuzu Ironman 70.3 Durban for seasoned Ironman athlete Garth Snyman. His girlfriend, Verena Wagner, joined him for the 2026 event. Snyman finished in 06:42:06 and Wagner just five seconds later.

Marise and Stian Schutte. > Photo: Supplied/Marise Schutte

Other Lowveld athletes results:

• Hylton Cruse – 06:39:32
• Annali Hugo – 06:30:42
• Roelof Hugo – 07:53:58
• Duncan Blum – 08:05:31
• Lizanne de Villiers – 06:10:06
• Stian Schutte – 07:08:45
• Albert Hechter – 07:34:29
• JP Best – 06:42:17.