Athletes flock to first Splash Tri Dash
Race director Glen Gore was delighted with the turnout and overall race experience.
South Africa’s first-ever Splash Tri Dash attracted hundreds of people to KZN recently.
The event was held at Amanzimtoti main beach and welcomed participants from around the country. This event also benefited local community organisations as 10% of all entry fees were donated to Operation Bobbi Bear and the local SPCA.
The Splash Tri Dash was a lap-racing event based on the hugely successful international Super League Triathlon racing.
Individuals and teams competed in the 3×3 repeat triathlon, starting with a 200m ocean swim, a 3km bike ride and a 1km run on the promenade.
The titles were taken by two of SA’s best triathletes: Henri Schoeman (32), the Olympic bronze medallist in 2016, and event organiser Bridget Theunissen (22), a reserve Olympian who is also set to represent South Africa in the short-distance triathlon at the U23 World Championships in Spain.
Schoeman took honours in the individual race, as well as pipping the first team (Toti Lifeguards A) to the finish line. Theunissen took the ladies’ title and came third overall, just behind upcoming junior Nathan Foster.
Schoeman said it was a tricky start in the surf, but he soon made up ground in the biking section.
“It’s an exciting race and format in South Africa! I love this kind of racing, and it’s so good for the development of our juniors and triathlon,” he said.
Theunissen described the race as a great success, with more people coming out than they even anticipated.
“It’s a quick race, spectator-friendly, and a really exciting day out for everyone!” she said.
“The sea was quite rough, so only those who were competent enough could swim on the day, with the alternative being to swim in the tidal pool, which was a safer option for the younger competitors. The feedback was positive, and we’re hoping that the Splash Tri Dash can be an annual feature on the sporting events calendar.”
Race director Glen Gore was delighted with the turnout and overall race experience. He also mentioned that he received a lot of positive feedback from the athletes.
Entrants also received a free bacon and egg roll and a goodie bag filled with vouchers, samples and treats.
Splash Tri Dash men’s results are as follows:
1. Henri Schoeman – 00:35:20
2. Nathan Foster – 00:37:23
3. Darryn Purtell – 00:38:16
4. Oliver Delport – 00:40:56
5. Ernest Phungula – 00:40:57
6. Philip Theron – 00:41:33
7. Travis Hewitt – 00:41:36
8. Scott Clemmett – 00:42:47
9. Nkosi Mbatha – 00:44:31
10. Joshua Campbell- 00:44:57
Women’s results:
1. Bridget Theunissen – 00:38:02
2. Taylor Foster – 00:43:28
3. Helen Taylor – 00:43:37
4. Mikaela Jonsson – 00:47:20
5. Zee Mkize – 00:48:05
6. Lara Watts – 00:48:16
7. Alexis Hewitt – 00:49:23
8. Ava Moore – 00:49:50
9. Abi Meineke – 00:50:17
10. Georgia Hewitt – 00:52:44.
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