Weber and Dance rounds off top three in triathlon
Henry Schoeman put in a dominant display at the inaugural Ekurhuleni 5150 African Championship to claim the title of 5150 African Champion, while Andrea Steyn underlined her status as one of the most feared female triathletes in the country by overturning a five-minute gulf to break the tape first.
The championship took place at Germiston Lake on Sunday, November 3.
Schoeman came into the event as the favourite to clinch the 1.5km swim leg, and all went according to script, as he exited the water with a two-minute lead over his chasers.
France’s 5150 Marseille champion Antony Costes claimed the runner-up spot with Boksburg’s own Wikus Weber completing the top three.
Schoeman maintained his lead on Costes when they entered the bike leg of the race and managed to hold off the Frenchman for most of the way.
Costes, however, caught up and took the lead around the 34km mark into the bike leg with Schoeman breathing down his neck as they approached T2 (transition from bike to running). Costes entered T2 in first position, but a quicker transition from the South African helped him regain first place going into the 10km run in what was an absorbing South Africa versus France battle.
Weber entered T2 in third to maintain the top order.
Schoeman kept his composure in the run to finish first in a time of 1.55.30 hours – eventually winning by over two minutes.
Costes and Weber joined him on the podium after they finished 1.57.58 and 1.58.33 respectively.
In the ladies race, Andrea Steyn made a memorable come back after being behind for more than four minutes at one stage in the race.
Lucie Reed of the Czech Republic set the pace early on with a complete swimming performance and exited the water in a commanding position.
She was followed into transition by SA duo Corinne Berg and Steyn.
Reed held a lead of nearly five minutes going onto the bike with Steyn following her after claiming second position from Berg.
Lauren Dance, also from Boksburg, entered the top 3 as she made her way up field, passing Berg in the process.
Reed was the first lady into T2 but Steyn had managed to cut the gap to just over three minutes.
Steyn, known for her strong biking and running abilities, surged towards the second lap of the run to further close the separation between herself and the Czech international.
With a drop of momentum from Reed, Steyn’s stamina kicked on the second lap and the turnaround was complete as she crossed the line in 2:09:24.
Reed finished second in a time of 2:10:31 with Dance rounding-up the top three in 2:15:38.
Men top five
Henry Schoeman (RSA) 01:55:30
Antony Costes (FRA) 01:57:58
Wikus Weber (RSA) 01:58:33
Travis Johnston (RSA) 01:58:50
Domenico Passuello (ITA) 01:59:45
Women top five
Andrea Steyn (RSA) 02:09:24
Lucie Reed (CZE) 02:10:31
Lauren Dance (RSA) 02:15:38
Cindy Schwulst (RSA) 02:20:27
Riana Robertson (RSA) 02:23:08
