Local triathlete, Kelvin Steyn (28) has been training 17 hours per week for the upcoming Ironman World Championships in Nice, France.
The World Championships on 2 September will include a 1.9km swim, a 90km cycle then a 21km run and 6 000 athletes will be participating.
“All I hope to get out of this event is experience to see where and how I can take myself forward,” the Ferndale resident said.
“At the same time [I want] to soak in the event and all it has to offer and most importantly to go and have fun. It may be a race against the world’s best. But it’s something that I love to do and just want to say I did it and I had a great time doing so.”
Steyn has a swimming background and has only been cycling and running (and doing triathlons) for one year. He has completed six triathlons so far, ranging from sprint, Olympic, half Ironman and full Ironman distances.
“This year I have completed full Ironman and then participated in the half Ironman 70.3 event in Durban in June. When I finished, I was very surprised with what I had achieved and was very fortunate to be offered the opportunity to go to the Ironman World Champs.”
Steyn said he does not have a diet plan but tries to generally stick to healthy meals that suit his training and racing.
The triathlete has asked for financial help getting to the event.
“With the event being overseas and the current exchange rate, things are not cheap. Costs include airfare, accommodation, transfers, visa, racing licence, bicycle transport, food, nutrition, bicycle helmet, triathlon cycling shoes, bicycle servicing and a triathlon racing suit.”
This comes to over R40 000. Steyn has set up a BackaBuddy page online where one can see how his fundraising is going.
As of 2 July, Steyn had raised just over R9 000 for the trip.
He also has a Facebook page called Getting Kelvin to IronMan 70.3 World Champs in Nice, France.
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