It was a beautiful day at Hermannsburg school with perfect weather in the idyllic rural setting for the first event in the 2008 aQuelle Mudman series last weekend.
A record number of athletes turned out for the multisport event, forcing the transition area to grow and the organisers to double the water supplies along the course. With the option of a swim or paddle and then a mountain bike ride and a run, the Mudman caters for everyone.
Top multisporter Iain Don-Wauchope successfully defended his title in the men’s open section with Jean-Paul van der Linde just holding off Warrick MacNicol to take second place. Eszter Erdelyi, out from Hungary for the summer, won the women’s section, making the Mudman a truly international event. Second place went to Su Erskine with respected triathlete Gillian Curr taking third.
The main focus of participation, family, fun and community came through on the course, with some blistering performances from athletes as young as 11. Murray Starr had a remarkable performance in the U14 category with a clear win in the half-distance swim event, showing how in a few years with diligent training one can become a true multisporter. Lindsey Round-Turner was the first woman home.
The canoe event was introduced for the first time at Hermannsburg and was well received. Top junior paddler Andrew Birkett proved too fast for the rest of the field as he romped home to a solid win ahead of fellow paddler Lance Kime with Darren Goddard third. Jean Hackland made light work of her multisport debut with a comfortable win in the women’s race with Nikki Irvine in second and Carmen Blakeney third. Dylan Antononizzi and Jenna Starr were the respective winners of the half-distance canoe event.
Organiser Mike Terry pointed out that the cycle leg changes every year as some timber blocks are felled and others become available, and the real challenge is to produce a varied course to keep the interest of the top performers and still be manageable for the juniors and novices. This year’s course provided lovely vistas, an excellent single track and a sweeping flow to the course making it fast, but not too easy.
A special prize is awarded to the school with the greatest number of supporters among participating athletes. A R1 000 reward plus a trophy and aQuelle product for every child in the school are on offer for this competition. Host school Hermannsburg bagged the spoils,with Epworth Primary School a very close second.
The next event in the series is the Epworth Mudman, which takes place at Albert Falls Dam next Sunday (February 17). For entries and further details on the series visit www.mudmansa.co.za.The site contains tips from top athletes, and nutrition and training ideas to get you going.
RESULTS
Full Swim
Men: I Don-Wauchope 1h26.48, JP van der Linde 1h31.54, W MacNicol 1h32.32.
Women overall: E Erdelyi 1h35.44, S Erskine 1h43.12, G Curr 1h49.56.
Half-Swim
Men: M Starr 1h01.33, D Krone 1h04.30, J van der Linde 1h06.19.
Women: L Round-Turner 1h12.37, C Arntzen 1h14.22, N Cryer 1h15.57.
Full Canoe
Men: A Birkett 1h41.51, L Kime 1h45.25, D Goddard 1h45.43.
Women: J Hackland 2h06.42, N Irvine 2h17.24, C Blakeney 2h20.24.
Half-Canoe
Men: D Antononizzi 1h14.54, S Jarrett 1h16.25, J Pilkington 1h18.10.
Women: J Starr 1h16.05, J Peek 1h26.31, N Rohrs 1h32.49.
MOUNTAIN BIKING
It’s the Wartburg Spar MTB Classic today. This superb event offers a 45 km Classic, 25 km Intermediate and 10 km Fun ride plus a 1km pre-schoolers’ ride. Further information on www.wartburg.co.za
MULTISPORT
The third leg of the high quality DueSouth Xterra takes place at the Shongweni Dam tomorrow morning. As part of the global tour, the South African DueSouth Xterra events conform to global standards of Xterra. This ensures a course that is tough, but not dangerous and provides entrants with challenging experiences in beautiful, natural surroundings.
This exhilarating multisport event features four individual events across the country guaranteed to test the endurance levels of both outdoor enthusiasts and serious athletes. The event is open to individual athletes or teams of three and consists of a 1,5 km swim, 25 km mountain bike and 10 km trail run discipline. Newcomers to the sport can compete in the Xterra Lite over a 600 metre swim, 14 km mountain bike and five km trail run, which also caters for individual athletes as well as teams of three.
Individual entries for the DueSouth Xterra will cost R100 and team entries will cost R150 per team, while individual entries for the DueSouth Xterra Lite will cost R60 and team entries will cost R100. Entries will be taken at registration tomorrow morning from 7 am.
The South African Xterra finals in April form part of the Xterra Global Tour and will offer competitors the opportunity to qualify for the world championship final in Hawaii. The global series spans more than 90 qualifying events in 13 countries and takes competitors to some of the most spectacular and challenging courses around the globe.
For race rules or on-line entries visit www.duesouth.co.za. For further entry and event information call 033 345 7075.
CYCLING
The Ryan Maullin Battery Centre Midmar Notts Cycle Challenge takes place on Sunday, February 24, at Midmar Dam. As one of KZN’s oldest and most popular cycling events on the calendar and perfectly timed being two weeks before the Pick n Pay Cape Argus, this is one not to miss. Choose between the 80 km Challenge or 30 km fun ride. Entry forms available from leading bike shops. For further inquiries contact race director Marc Wyatt on 083 635 9154.
X-Fest extreme in Underberg
The 7th running of the Thrombi X-Fest, a multi-disciplined extreme sports festival that caters for everyone from the extreme junkie to the families who just want to get away for a camping weekend in the foothills of the Drakensburg, takes place next weekend, February 15-17 at Thrombosis Gorge in Underberg.
The Jeep Apparel X-treme multisport event draws some of South Africa’s most X-treme multisporters all with a point to prove over the downriver kayak, mountain run and mountain bike route. This is the weekend for all mountain bikers and the X-Fest committee, along with the local mountain biking Knox family, have been scouting, building and riding something new and special. This year introduces the new 40 km Thrombi Super Classic and 20 km Intermediate MTB events held on the Sunday at Thrombi Base Camp.
Full catering and bar facilities will be available and the venue on the Craigs’ farm is simply beautiful. Check out our website on www.xfest.co.za for event details or contact Ross O’Donoghue (072 151 3907). For event queries contact Heidi at Max Cluer Sports Marketing on (033) 345 7075.
