Momentum health Iflex Duathlon event #5

RESULT: 1st OVERALL

To say I was excited for this race would be a massive understatement. After being quite disappointed with my performance at the Xterra in Knysna I was very keen to put a better result in especially in my home town.

It was set to be a very tough race with the likes of Brand Du Plessis, Lieuwe Boonstra, Theo Blignaut, Jock Green and Daniel Carleton all hoping to get onto the podium.

The race format is a 5km Trail run, 30km MTB and finished with a 2.5km Trail run. The bike course was going to be the decisive discipline as it was a tough course with some big climbs and enjoyable single track.




The run started and we were quickly into a section of single track. I managed to stay in the front pack until we exited onto the fast roads. I didn't want to over do it on the first run and knew I couldn't match the pace of the top 3 guys on the run so I tried to limit my losses and save my legs for the bike. I entered transition 1m30s down on Brand and 1min behind Lieuwe.

I got onto the bike feeling good and was closer to the leaders then I had hoped. Knowing the bike course was so tough I wanted to hold back slightly on the 1st lap and attack the 2nd lap with everything I had left. With this in mind I caught and past Theo Blignaut about 2kms into the ride. He had unfortunately had bike issues and was on a borrowed bike which he didn't seem to comfortable on. After cresting the first small climb I could see both Lieuwe and Brand ahead. I caught Lieuwe at the bottom of the "mother in law" climb and sat with him till the top choosing not attack at this early stage and rather stay together till we caught Brand, which happened at the end of the next single track. I chose the final single track of the first lap to put in a small attack and managed to exit with a 15sec lead over the 2 chasers. I kept this gap into the turn around point for the second lap and then started to push the pace as much as I could, attacking the single track and climbs. The gap was steadily growing and by the top of the "mother in law" neither of the chasers was in sight.




Coming into transition I had built up a 2min cushion over Lieuwe and 6min over Brand who had experienced a technical difficulty out on the course. It was now down to the final run, I knew everyones legs would be hurting by this stage and just tried to keep a good strong pace. Entering the last quarter of the run I knew I had the race won and couldn't help but smile all the way to the line. I had given my all out on the course and had so badly wanted this win. There is no better feeling then achieving a goal you have set yourself.




It's sad to hear that Lieuwe will now be retiring from multi-sport as I have thoroughly enjoyed racing against him. He is a true competitor and always fun to chat to after the race is done. He will be missed at the races in the future.




Have to say a huge well done to my dad Russell White who managed to set a brilliant course and had the trails perfectly prepped for the athletes and over and above this still managed to win his age group. Also thanks to Thule South Africa as always for all their support and to the event organizers and sponsors, Momentum Health, I-Flex and Pepto Sport. Without these companies support, multi-sport wouldn't be growing as fast as it is.



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