Ironman Purtell eyes world champs
Darryn earned a place on the podium in 95 percent of his races last year.
Triathlete Darryn Purtell (28), formerly of Southbroom but now living in Westville, has won the KwaZulu-Natal Age Grouper of the year award – for best amateur athlete across all age groups.
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“I am not 100 percent sure about the criteria that had to be met but I’m assuming placing second Age Grouper overall at the South African Triathlon Championships in March had something to do with it,” he said.
Darryn is a quintessential endurance athlete, excelling in all disciplines he puts his mind (and body) to.
“My focus has shifted over the years from MTB to triathlons and, more recently, I’ve shifted from Olympic distance triathlons – which consist of a 1.5km swim, 40km bike and 10km run – to half ironman, which consists of a 1.9km swim, 90km bike and 21km run.”
He’s hoping to qualify for the 70.3 Half Ironman World Champs in New Zealand next year as an Age Grouper.
Overall, 2019 was a decent year for him in terms of results and races.
He earned a place on the podium in 95 percent of his races.
Some of the highlights included placing third overall at the KwaZulu-Natal Triathlon Championships, second overall at the South African Triathlon Championships, overall winner of the MudMan Series (off road triathlon) and third overall at SunCity Ultra (half ironman distance event).
He ended off the year with a win at the final TinMan Triathlon Series.
“I’m extremely passionate about the sport, the community and the people I’ve met through it all,” he said.
He’s excited for the coming year, especially with a new sponsor on board – Zone3SA (UK’s leading triathlon brand).
Darryn also thanked all those sponsors who supported him during last year.
These included Science in Sport SA, Tifosi Sport and Trek Bikes through Dura Cycles and Realty 1.
When not competing, Darryn works in the financial field, and has done so for four years now, three of these with HVM.
“It’s going well and I’m really enjoying it,” he said.
He recently finished his post graduate in financial planning and will be writing his board exams in February to become a CFP.
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