Brad starts 2017 with two gold medals

The 23-year-old started his year with two excellent wins at two triathlon races.

But taking the gold medal in an impressive finishing time of 02:43:26 at the Buffelspoort race in the North West Province was probably the highlight of his year so far.

Read: Springs athlete shines at SA Triathlon Champs

Brad showed his mettle by leading the group of athletes from start to finish in the 1.5km swim, followed by a 26km mountain bike stage and the 12km trail run.

Derek Edwards says his son dominated the race from start to finish.

He says that, given the heat, the surfaces were dry and rocky for the running and cycling legs, but the swim was the difficult part for most of the competitors.

“It was very windy, which caused a chop on the surface of the water, and the last 600m had to be negotiated into the current,” says Derek.

This was Brad’s second win for the new year.

Brad also took gold at the Gauteng Triathlon Championships, which took place at Germiston Lake on January 16, in a winning time of 01:59:47.

He claims he had a very comfortable race.

Read: Springs’ own u-23 ITU Cross Tri World Champ

Brad had the fastest time in the Fedhealth XTERRA Buffelspoort race in the swim, bike and running legs.

“I know that if I tick all the smaller boxes, the outcome will be good,” he says.

He compares this win to his world title win in the u-23 International Triathlon Union (ITU) Cross Triathlon World Championship in Australia last year.

“The organisation of the XTERRA is amazing. The race is scenic and has challenging routes,” says Brad.

He is looking forward to the XTERRA Grabouw race on February 24, which includes a 1.5km swim, followed by a 28km mountain bike race and a 12.5km trail run.

“I know the course is challenging and the quality of athletes competing will be high, but I will once again focus on the smaller goals.

“Hopefully I’ll be able to make the top five,” says Brad.

The Grabouw race is known to be the biggest XTERRA event, with the most entries on the international circuit.

Brad is currently training seriously to achieve his best ever result at this event.