Category: News

Spain’s Javier Gomez Noya’s quest to become the second man to win four ITU World Championships gained strength in Cape Town yesterday, as he comfortably beat Jonathan Brownlee for his second consecutive ITU World Triathlon Series win in 2014.

As the series made its debut in Africa, Gomez put the hammer down with around 4km to go. Just like in the series opener in Auckland, Brownlee just could not stick with him. It means Gomez holds onto the lead in the Threadneedle rankings and looks the one to beat in the race for the 2014 world title. But Gomez revealed afterwards he was not confident at the start of the 10km run.

“The run, I didn’t feel very fresh I think we all were pretty tired. I had heavy legs but I just went as hard as I could on that third lap and I could make this little gap with Jonathan and luckily I could commit,” Gomez said. “I just didn’t look back and went as hard as I could.”

Brownlee was filled with nothing but praise, admitting he just did not have Gomez’s measure again.
“I was even more impressed this time, to be honest with you, In Auckland I let him kind of run the race at the front,” Brownlee said. “Here I thought I would change it up a bit but every time he went for it, I kind of counter attacked and then he counter attacked again and dropped me. It’s as simple as that. He was very impressive today. He was strong on the bike, strong in the swim and then on the run. He was a lot better than me on the run, so well done to him.”

It added yet another chapter to their rivalry, as Gomez now just leads in WTS encounters. In 19 races, Brownlee has five wins and Gomez six. It is also the third consecutive time Gomez has beaten the younger Brownlee brother, after last year’s London Grand Final and the season opener in Auckland.
While the top two podium places were again filled by Gomez and Brownlee, it was Russia’s Dmitry Polyanskiy who re-captured his best form to collect another career WTS medal.

The men’s race started with a two-lap 750m swim in the V&A Waterfront. Slovakia’s Richard Varga assumed his regular position at the front of the pack and the frenetic pace he set started to string out the field quickly. While Gomez and Brownlee were just on his heels, pre-race podium threats Mario Mola and Richard Murray had already lost significant time after the first lap, falling more than 20 seconds back. That gap increased on the second lap of the swim, and those at the front made it count by forming a 14-strong lead group on the bike.

Led by South Africa’s Henri Schoeman, Jonathan Brownlee, Javier Gomez Noya and Aaron Royle, a 14-man lead group came together on the first lap and worked together to push the pace. While a quad of men that included Joao Silva and Gordon Benson was initially in touch with the leaders, they quickly fell back to the large chase group. With the technical course providing less breakaway opportunities, the trailing group of 25 struggled to regain time across the 40km bike.

Although Australia’s Declan Wilson, Cameron Good, Mola, Murray and company sweated to keep the pace steady, their effort was not enough to close the gap on the leaders. At the halfway point of the 40km bike, the gap to the chase pack was 53 seconds, while a third chase pack led by Conor Murphy was 2 minutes and 25 seconds down. That gap increased slightly at the second transition, to 1:20, just enough to see Mola and Murray out of podium reach.

With five WTS medallists in the lead group, including Brownlee, Gomez, Royle, Polyanskiy and Vincent Luis, and two others who have recorded top-5 finishes in Schoeman and Alessandro Fabian, positioning became paramount. It was Germany’s Justus Nieschlag who stepped out in front from T2, but Brownlee and Gomez quickly moved to the front to resume yet another battle in an epic rivalry.

Behind them the experienced Polyanskiy looked to have found the form that carried him to series podiums in the past, leading a small group that included South Africa’s Wian Sullwald, France’s Aurelien Raphael and Luis and Royle. The Russian opened up the lead on the second lap to 20 seconds and did not look back, claiming his first podium since 2012.

In another impressive comeback run performance in Cape Town, Mola and Murray crashed their way back from the chase pack into the top five, claiming fourth and fifth places respectively.

Says Richard Murray: “Wow, this was amazing. It was like the Olympics with the people going crazy! It was hard. I didn’t feel myself today and couldn’t work as hard as I would’ve liked to on the bike. Sorry to the guys. I actually thought my swim was quite good. When I came into transition I saw, to my surprise, there weren’t many bikes left! Mario and I went together on the run and on the second lap he said ‘Let’s go’ and I thought oh no! I’m happy with fifth, but I know that I need to improve. It was something special to race in front of family and friends and I’m looking forward to doing it again next year. This was something spectacular.”

Great Britain’s Jodie Stimpson asserted her status as the female triathlete to beat in 2014, collecting her second consecutive World Triathlon Series win as the series made its debut in Africa on Saturday.

After being part of a 12-strong lead group on the bike that left T2 just over two minutes up on the chase, Stimpson hit the run course in Cape Town with intent. While it initially looked like it would be a repeat of Auckland, where Stimpson was not headed across the 10km, Helen Jenkins had other ideas. The two-time ITU World Champion caught Stimpson at the halfway mark, before a frenzied final five kilometres where the lead changed multiple times. But Stimpson pulled out another gear in the final 500m as the blue carpet came into sight, and stormed home for her second win of 2014.

““When Helen passed me it was just all about trying to hang on, I was going through a bad bit, I had a stitch and I was just like, come on, just hold on to Helen,” Stimpson said. “I tried to break her going onto the last lap and then I couldn’t, so I just sat behind and I gave it all I’ve got and managed to get on top today.”

While Stimpson and Jenkins’ battle rightly headlined Cape Town, the USA’s Gwen Jorgensen almost stole the show with another breath-taking run. Jorgensen was part of the chase that left the second transition 2 minutes and 12 seconds behind the leaders, but the American speedster did not let that deter her as she blew through every other member of the lead group – including Sarah Groff in the final kilometers – to take her place on the podium with bronze.

The swim was shortened to 750m in Cape Town due to low water temperatures at the V&A Waterfront and Carolina Routier and Lucy Hall led the field out of the water and onto the bike. In a chaotic first lap, a group of 12 formed including three of Hall’s British teammates, Helen Jenkins, Jodie Stimpson and Vicky Holland, as well as Sarah Groff, Yuka Sato, Kirsten Sweetland, Anja Knapp, Ainhoa Murua, Pamela Oliveira and South Africa’s own Marie Rabie, in her first WTS race since 2010.

What began as a 25-second lead, quickly amounted to more than a minute halfway through the bike thanks to the experience and organisation of the lead pack. Jenkins may have missed the 2012 season, but the talent that carried her to two world championship titles was alive and back in action.

Despite being led by cycling cyclone Anne Haug, the group just could not muster up the speed to close in on the dazzling dozen.

At the end of the sixth lap, the third chase pack bridged up, but the added muscle did little to increase the group’s tempo. The leaders flew into T2 with a 2 minute and 12 second lead and got to work pushing the pace to ward off the powerful Haug and Jorgensen behind them.

Continuing on her stellar form from Auckland, Stimpson went straight to the front. While Holland stuck on her shoulder initially, she fell back and it seemed like Stimpson had her second straight victory all but wrapped up. But that was not in Helen Jenkins plan, as she steadily reeled Stimpson back in, catching her at the halfway point of the run. From there the pair’s intensity only increased, with multiple lead changes before Stimpson gained the upper hand in the final 500m.

The win means that Stimpson moves further ahead in the 2014 Threadneedle rankings, after two rounds of the World Triathlon Series. Jenkins sits in second, while Anne Haug’s strong sixth place – after leaving T2 in the same place as Jorgensen – means she sits in third just ahead of Groff, who has now recorded two consecutive top-5 finishes to start the 2014 season. Jorgensen is currently in fifth place.

It was Stimpson’s third career World Triathlon Series win, while it was Jenkins’ 12th career WTS podium. Ainhoa Murua’s fifth place was her highest career WTS result.

African Triathlon Champion Gillian Sanders finished in fifteenth place. Says Sanders: “It was so tough out there. I was in the second bike pack and it was mostly a day of catching up. I realised that I’d have to run really hard and I’m happy with my result. I’m a proud South African today. You can’t beat this venue. Discovery World Triathlon Cape Town was so awesome and everybody loved it. I think it bodes well for the future of this event.”
Compatriot Mari Rabie finished 27th in a 46-strong field: “My expectations weren’t high. It’s been two years since I’ve competed as I’ve been focusing on my studies. I’ve only been training for four months and I knew the run would be the big challenge. I’m somewhat disappointed with my swim because I’m usually a strong swimmer. I’m so happy though that I have competed today and it’s great to be back!”

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