The
Joburg City Triathlon Series consists of three Olympic-distance events, taking
place in November, February and March, and it attracts local and international
elite, as well as age-group, youth and development athletes. The second event
in the series was held at Germiston Lake and incorporated the Central Gauteng
Championships, which is the regional qualifier for the National Olympic
Distance Championships.
RACE MORNING
The
race organisers, Mayhem Sports and Troisport, made sure that the organisation
was excellent, which included securing road closures on the bike course – no
mean feat with the Johannesburg Traffic Authorities! The multi-lap format course
ensured exciting racing, and exceptional vantage points for spectators, while
the waters of Germiston
Lake reached 24 degrees
and meant that wetsuits were not allowed.
The
women were provided a separate start and Czech Lucie Zelenkova quickly took
command in the swim, exiting in first place, followed by Carlyn Fisher. On the four-lap
non-drafting bike course, Zelenkova stretched her lead with each 10km loop, and
went on to win the race in two hours and five minutes.
The
men’s race saw strong performances from many of the national team members,
including Erhardt Wolfaardt, Abrahm Louw, Wikus Webber and Chris Felgate.
Wolfaardt led out of the swim and never relinquished his lead, despite feeling
the heat from his competitors. He eventually took victory in 1:51.
The
main event was followed by junior and development events, where the young kids
and those new to the sport could share in the multi-sport fun.
Results:
1. Erhardt Wolfaardt 1:51:55
2. Abrahm Louw 1:53:00
3. Wikus Webber 1:53:54
4. Chris Felgate 1:54:19
5. Micheal Davidson 1:55:38
1. Lucie Zelenkova 2:05:58
2. Carlyn Fisher 2:07:01
3. Corinne Berg 2:11:21
4. Caroline Koll 2:13:16
5. Kathryn Du Buisson 2:13:57