The Standard Bank Ironman 70.3 km race took place in Durban and it was a new event that Durban hosted according to the participants from eMalahleni the race was well organised.
This years Durban Ironman 70.3 km medal that finishers received on Sunday, August 2.
On Sunday, August 2 over 3000 participants took on this year’s Ironman competition.
The three locals from eMalahleni competed in this Ironman competition and they joined the 3000 participants who lined up for the 1.9 km swim in the ocean.
eMalahleni locals that competed are Patrice Gautier, Gereld Snell and Antony Brandfort.
As eMalahleni does not have an ocean it made the swim very challenging for the locals as most of their training was done in a swimming pool.
“It was very difficult as there were many waves and there was a strong back current,” said Patrice.
After the swim it was followed by a fast, undulating bike course that looped around the Blue Lagoon and head along the M4 highway.
It was a 90 km ride and it was a non-drafting race.
“The cycle was good, I could have gone faster but I had to leave something in the tank for the run,” said Patrice.
The flat, two loop run course of 21.1km lay ahead of the cyclists along the promenade.
“The run took a lot out of me as eight kilometres in the race, I developed two nice blisters,” continued Patrice.
For now Patrice will be training for the next Ironman which is a 51.50km race in November in Germiston.
Next year Patrice wants to qualify for Worlds in Australia and for the one in Hawaii
Patrice Gautier and Gereld Snell getting ready for their 1.9 km swim in the ocean on Sunday, August 2.
Gereld Snell coming into the finish of the cycle before his transition he will do for the 21.1 km run.
