Little Bongani in endurance race

The youngest participant at Bela-Bela’s Standard Bank 5150 Trialthon Marathon, Bongani Tshabalala (14), made many friends during the event on Saturday 17 August.

The Hoërskool Warmbad Grade 8 learner completed the race in an impressive time of 1 hour 37 minutes.

The annual event took place at Bela-Bela’s Forever Resorts.

The 5150 Trialthon Marathon rookie said he trained hard for the event.

“The hardest part was after I came out of the swimming pool, to transition to cycling, but I kept my head up to complete the race,” Tshabalala said.

He is a member of the Tuks Waterberg Swimming Club, and also active at his local high school.

Tshabalala is already looking ahead – in terms of preparations – to the inter-provincial finals scheduled for the Mpumalanga capital of Mbombela on Saturday 24 August.

He will also take part in the inter-high schools swimming contest taking place on Tuesday 17 September in Bela-Bela.

The 2019 Standard Bank 5150 Bela-Bela attracted athletes from 12 different countries, among them Botswana and the United Kingdom.

Tshabalala said he drew much inspiration from his dad, Mbalekelwa, and mother, Molatelo, both keen runners.

The next instalment of the Standard Bank 5150 Trialthon will take place on Sunday 20 October in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng.

— The BEAT