Category: News

Not only is the Discovery World Triathlon Cape Town a first for the African continent, but it is also a first ever for Richard Murray when he lines up against the best triathletes in the world on home soil.
Murray (25) along with brothers Alistair and Jonathan Brownlee (GBR) and Javier Gomez (ESP) are headlining the ITU World Series race on Sunday at the V&A Waterfront.

Murray, like many other athletes, have been preparing in Stellenbosch for the past few weeks. The whole Joel Filliol squad of which Murray is part and includes another red-hot Spaniard Mario Mola is training in Stellenbosch. “Training has been going great. I mostly did sharpening up before the Cape Town race. I’m very keen to see how the past five months’ training has gone and how I’ll perform this early in the season.”

Murray has thus far won the SA Championships in East London and the ATU African Sprint Cup and finished second at the Mooloolaba World Cup in Australia and the African Championships in Harare, Zimbabwe. “With four races under the belt, I feel confidant and sharp leading into the Discovery World Triathlon Cape Town.

Murray, along with Henri Schoeman, will be the two prominent South Africans in the race. But youngsters Wian Sullwald, Travis Johnston and Wikus Weber are some of the other locals that will be racing on a very fast and flat route. “With a few other African boys on the start line, with family, friends and sponsors in support, it’s going to be something very special for me. I’m super-amped to race against the best triathletes at home.”

This is not only a great opportunity for Murray and other local athletes to race internationally on home soil, but it is a chance for the sport of triathlon to get some much-needed national exposure in the country. “Triathlon and Cape Town are getting some great exposure and publicity. Our sport really needs this. For the athletes and the sponsors.”

It was a historic Boston Marathon in Massachusetts on Monday. South Africa’s Ernst van Dyk became the first athlete ever to win ten titles at the marathon showpiece. The 41 year old wheelchair racer finished in a time of 1:20:36, his second fastest finish time ever, slower only to the course record of 1:18:27 that he set in back in 2004.

The veteran South African, who dominated the race from start to finish, crossed the line 38 seconds ahead of Japan’s Kota Hokinoue, who claimed second in 1:21:14.

It was also a historic day too for Meb Keflezighi who won the overall men’s race in a time of 2:08:37 and in doing so became the first American to win the Boston Marathon since Greg A. Meyer did it in 1983. Eritrean born Keflezighi broke the 29 year American duck just a year after a terrorist attack at the 2013 edition of the race killed three people and left more than 260 injured. The 38 year old, who won the New York Marathon in 2009, honoured the victims of the bombing by running with their names on his race bib.

The 2004 Olympic Silver medallist finished 11 seconds ahead of Kenya’s Wilson Chebet. South Africa’s Lusaho April claimed 15th position in a time of 2:14:59, more than six minutes behind the eventual winner Keflezighi.

History was also rewritten in the women’s elite race with Kenyan Rita Jeptoo defending the title she won in 2013 in a new course record of 2:18:57. Jeptoo claimed her third Boston Marathon title with a winning margin of over a minute from Ethiopia’s Buzunesh Deba who crossed the line in a time of 2:19:59 with countrywoman Mare Dibaba in third. All three of the leading ladies ran faster than the previous course record.

He hopes spectators pitch in their masses for the ITU’s Discovery World Triathlon Cape Town, because World Champion Javier Gomez believes all the world-class triathletes are ready to put on a show that won’t easily be forgotten.

The Cape Town event in the ITU World Triathlon Series will be held at the V&A Waterfront. The women’s race is on the Saturday (26 April) and the men on the Sunday (27 April).

Spain’s Gomez won the first race in the ITU World Triathlon Series in Auckland earlier in April. He is also the current World Champion. “It’s always great to start the season with a victory, but Auckland’s course really suits me and there is still seven races to come in the World Series.”

The Discovery World Triathlon Cape Town course is flat and promises some fast racing. “It’s going to be a very fast race with both the Brownlees (Alistair and Jonathan) in action. Competing against them never gets boring. They’re the best rivals I’ve ever had. They have no weak points. But also keep in mind that the gap between the three of us and the next group is not that big. Mario Mola won two World Cup events this season and Richard Murray is a super strong athlete – he’s had some chances. If you want to win an ITU race you have to be 100%”

Gomez believes that people should use this opportunity to come and witness some international triathlon action. “I think spectators will be surprised with the intensity of the race and how aggressive the athletes race. They’ll have many opportunities to see us with the laps and I really hope they come and enjoy the show.”

Even though Olympic distance races are sometimes less than 2 hours, Gomez warns that longer is not always harder. “The intensity of this kind of racing really hurts! It’s very intense, not to mention tactical. There are some very important decisions you have to make and when your heart rate is at 180 you’re not thinking that clear! You have to be fit, strong and smart.”

Gomez is ready to battle the Brownlees, Mola, Murray and the usual suspects for a victory in Cape Town. “It’s good to have both Alistair and Jonathan back. Because I won in Auckland, there is less pressure on me. I do like to keep going though and be on top of the podium again.”

Old Mutual’s More than Yourself campaign aims to raise R400 000 to buy school shoes for underprivileged children

Seven of South Africa's best-known media personalities will be running the Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon on April 19 as ambassadors of Old Mutual’s More Than Yourself campaign.

The campaign aims to raise R400 000 to supply more than 3 000 pairs of school shoes to underprivileged children through the Put Foot Foundation.

Top Billing presenter Simba Mhere will join Kaya FM presenters Mosibodi Whitehead and Sotho Lenkoe, digital producer Jason von Berg, Heart 104.9FM’s Aden Thomas, Jacaranda FM’s Janina Oberholzer and Damon Beard of East Coast Radio.

Mhere will be running the Old Mutual Two Oceans half marathon for the first time, but he is no stranger to running. He has been active in the sport since the age of five, and was a sprinter at university level.

“I think it’s such a challenge to put your body through something like this but it's a challenge that's worthwhile — an accomplishment, really,” he says. “The fact that I'm running for such a great cause as well makes it all the more worthwhile and special.”

Mhere says he is honoured to be raising funds for the Put Foot Foundation, which supplies locally made leather school shoes to children in need.

“It means so much to me to know that my involvement and my support for a cause like this can really make an impact,” he says.

“I'm also very honoured to have been asked to represent the foundation. Giving back is something I always try to do.”
Old Mutual’s ‘More than Yourself’ campaign was launched to motivate community-minded South Africans to join Old Mutual in raising funds for worthwhile causes.

Mokaedi Dilotsotlhe, General Manager Marketing for Old Mutual, who is running the ultra-marathon under the More Than Yourself banner, says: “Creating a better South Africa starts with uplifting our most vulnerable communities. It starts with caring enough about people’s daily struggles to do something meaningful and positive to change their lives.”

The Old Mutual Foundation is supporting the More than Yourself campaign by matching the money raised, up to R200 000.

“If we reach our target, it means we can put school shoes on the feet of 3 000 children,” adds Dilotsotlhe.

Kaya FM’s Whitehead is also delighted to be able to give something back. Like Mhere, Whitehead was an active athlete in high school and university. He took up the sport again in 2007 and has been running regularly since then.

He’s run the Old Mutual Two Oceans half marathon, as well as a couple of other South African ultra-marathons. He is now looking forward to completing his first Old Mutual Two Oceans Ultra Marathon.

“It's a beautiful scenic marathon and a great weekend in Cape Town,” he says.
“There's also the added incentive of the R1 million Old Mutual is offering to the first male and female runners who break the race record. It may not affect the amateur runners, but it definitely adds to the vibe and prestige of the race.”

Whitehead jumped at the chance to join the Old Mutual More Than Yourself ambassadors. “When I heard about this campaign, it was as if it was written in the stars,” he says. “I'm really happy to be able to do something for underprivileged kids.”

Even though he really wants a place on the podium, Henri Schoeman will also be happy with a place in the Top 10 at the ITU Discovery World Series in Cape Town on Sunday 27 April.
Schoeman (23) is the newly crowned African Champion after winning the Championships in Harare, Zimbabwe over the weekend. Richard Murray and Wian Sullwald finished second and third respectively.

Schoeman is very happy with this result after not having the best time regarding injuries the past three months. “I have been dealing with two injury setbacks, one in my knee then one in my ankle. My ankle is not 100% yet but I have been able to do some running. I am happy with my swimming and biking form and I would have liked to be a little bit faster with my running at the moment. I had a very good race this past weekend and that was a very good confidence booster going into the Cape Town race next weekend. Judging from that performance I think I am happy with my current form and fitness going into WTS Cape Town.”

Schoeman reckons everybody – athletes and spectators – should be ready for some fast paced action. “It will be a flat and fast race in Cape Town. The water temperature might be a factor with it being so cold. It would be ideal if a small group of about 10 athletes could be in front out of the water and in a break away on the bike. I would love to achieve my best result in Cape Town, which would be on the podium. I will still be happy to place amongst the top 10 though.”

The South African trains with World Champion Javier Gomez from Spain. Gomez along with Michael Phelps are Schoeman’s sporting heroes. “Training with Javier Gomez is really good and truly an eye opening experience. I gain so much knowledge from the way he trains and prepares for big races. Apart from training he is the nicest guy you could ever meet. He is very humble and down to earth which is something I admire about him so much.”

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The countdown has started to the Jonkershoek Mountain Challenge (JMC), one of the highlights on the South African trail running calendar.

The fourth running of the JMC will take place on 4 May and will for the first time form part of the exciting Mountain Challenge Series (MCS) with a total prize purse of over R50 000. The main race on the day will be the 36km while there will also be shorter options – the JMC Lite 22km and the Jonkershoek Mountain Run (JMR) 10km.

The two shorter races ensure that there is something for everyone on race day, from the elites to those who are still new to trail running, but the main attraction will definitely be the “big daddy”, the 36km race between the top guns of South African trail running.

The race has gone from strength to strength since it first took place in 2011 with top runners such as AJ Calitz, Thabang Madiba, Michael Bailey, Iain Don-Wauchope, Bernard Rukadza, Katya Soggot, Landie Gryeling and Linda Doke all participating in previous years.

Last year the JMC served as the South African Long Distance Trail Running Championships and this year it will again be one of the qualifying races where the national trail running team that will compete in the USA later this year will be selected. For this reason, all the big names in trail running are once again expected to take part in this epic challenge.

Mountain Challenge Series launched

One of the most exciting aspects of this year’s race is the establishment of the Mountain Challenge Series – a three-race challenge taking place on some of the most beautiful mountains in the Western Cape with each event offering its own unique challenge.

The first race of the series, the Jonkershoek Mountain Challenge (JMC) will consist of 36km and more than 2000m of climbing. Two weeks later, on 18 May, runners will take on the Helderberg Mountain Challenge (HMC) in Somerset West. Though this race is considerably shorter than the JMC with a total distance of “only” 24km, it climbs just under 2000m in a shorter distance and many runners who have taken part in both have been known to say the HMC is actually harder. Last up in the Series is the new kid on the block, the Marloth Mountain Challenge (MMC) just outside Swellendam on 9 August. This epic race of 60km will take place for the first time this year on the closed-down Swellendam Hiking Trail and will climb almost 4000m in total.

The winner of the MCS will win R3 000 as well as prize money in every race and a Series Bonus of R5 000 if he/she wins every race in the Series. The winner of the Series can win as much as R15 000 if he/she takes top honours in every race and wins the King and Queen of the Mountain hot spot at every race.

For more information on the Mountain Challenge Series or any of the races in the Series visit the website at www.mountainchallenge.co.za

Francois Jacobs (43) of Centurion will be competing in the Discovery World Triathlon Cape Town from 26 to 27 April at the V&A Waterfront. This is the first time that a leg of the ITU World Triathlon Series will be hosted on the continent and the first time Jacobs, who has been blind from birth, will be competing with his guide Mike Fannin. The International Triathlon Union made the announcement in November 2013 that Cape Town and Chicago in the United States of America would make their debut at the 2014 series.

Jacobs, a successful business analyst at a leading financial services company, enjoys competing in triathlon events, accomplishing an impressive list of sporting achievements. Jacobs says: “Cycling used to be my strongest discipline, but I’m enjoying the swim more and more. Nothing quite gets to the vitality of an open water sea swim!” Jacobs has finished five Ironman events, including the 70.3 Ironman and Ironman Western Australia, the Comrades Marathon and several other Olympic distance events.

Jacobs will be guided by Mike Fannin (41) of Cape Town, who runs a division of an investment advisory business. Born in Durban and raised in Port Elizabeth, Fannin has been actively participating in triathlon since August 2013. This will be their first triathlon that they tackle as a team. “I was asked by coach Steve Attwel of Embark Training to help Francois. I enjoy the swimming part the most and have done about five standard triathlons, one half Ironman and one Ironman. Sporting wise, I’m proudest of completing the Ironman.”

Jacobs continues: “I do recreational cycling, and two months ago I took up kick-boxing to increase my overall fitness. When a friend pitched the kickboxing idea, I told her that she’s mad, but after my personal trainer at Virgin Active Centurion said yes, I had my first session and I was totally hooked.” Fannin adds: “I lift weights occasionally, and am starting mountain biking. I also do some surfski paddling.”

While Jacobs often participates to raise support for the Sabona Sonke Foundation, the organisation that works to avert preventable blindness in the Eastern Cape, he will be competing at the Cape Town World Triathlon to thank Virgin Active Health Clubs for their backing. “I’m doing it in appreciation for their tremendous support getting me in my current state of fitness. My goals for 2014 is to lose another stubborn 7 kilograms,” says Jacobs. “I want to have a good finish at the Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge and pursue a personal best at the Eleven Global Sun City. I hope to find a guide to make Ironman 2015 my best ever.”

Fannin would like to do more of the same during this year. “I love doing triathlon and multisport. I just want to keep doing as many events as possible whilst having fun.”

Jacobs considers Bruce Fordyce, multiple Comrades Marathon titleholder and motivational speaker as well as Natascha Badmann, Triathlete champion, as his sources of inspiration. Says Jacobs: “I was very disappointed by my finish time at the 2012 SA Ironman. I worked so hard towards my personal best time. During the awards night Badmann shared how she overcome serious injury by making a conscious decision to try, and try again, until she came out on top. It was exactly what I needed at the time, and those powerful words will stay with me forever”.

Fannin concludes that Lewis Pugh is a big hero of his. “I’ve been privileged to hear him speak a few times. My family also inspire me, as they’ve always been so supportive, as well as my faith.”