A Gqeberha triathlete has raised nearly R140 000 for a local children’s home through his Ironman campaign.

Calvin Zeelie competed the gruelling long-distance triathlon in Nelson Mandela Bay in aid of Summerhill House on April 19.

The 33-year-old, a law graduate from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University and currently a chief officer aboard a superyacht, initially set out to raise R100 000 but surpassed his target weeks before race day, raising R138 020.

READ: Triathlete takes on Ironman to support Summerhill House in Etete | North Coast Courier

“The fundraising was a massive success and far exceeded my expectations,” said Zeelie.

Summerhill House is a non-profit caring for vulnerable, orphaned and abandoned children in Etete, near Shakaskraal.

The funds will be directed towards the home’s education fund, which provides schooling, therapeutic support and specialised assistance for children with learning disabilities.

Competing in just his fifth Ironman, Zeelie delivered a strong performance in a highly competitive field. He finished 17th in the men’s 30-34 age group in a time of 10:24:45, placing 152nd overall among international and local competitors. Only 34 South Africans finished inside the top 100 overall, with just one local athlete cracking the top 10.

Despite the elite field, Zeelie stood out off the course, achieving the highest fundraising total of all individual competitors and teams participating in the Ironman4Kids initiative.

“The race went perfectly. There were tough conditions, but it was a great day.”

Zeelie (1:04:43) opened with a two-lap 3.8km swim at Hobie Beach. This was followed by a demanding three-loop 180km cycle along Marine Drive through Nelson Mandela Bay and surrounding areas, completed in 5:16:40.

He then completed a four-loop, flat 42.2km run along the beachfront promenade, including the Ironman beach bridge and the incline through Happy Valley, in 3:53:46.