Ironman set to sizzle in Durban
TOMORROW’S Standard Bank Ironman Durban will have a strong professional field assembled, with some of South Africa’s top long distance triathletes lining up for the ultra-endurance race.
The men’s professional field features defending champion Stuart Marais who will be challenged by James Cunnama and Matt Trautman.
Marais had a stellar race last year, comfortably taking the win but his title defence will be an entirely different prospect. An exciting all-round talent, Marais had a solid race at the Standard Bank Ironman South Africa in January but missed out on a podium.
Trautman will come into the race as a strong favourite. He has been a level above the competition in South Africa this year winning the East London leg emphatically before narrowly missing out on a podium at the Ironman African Championship in Port Elizabeth.
Trautman comes into the race fresh off an impressive win at the Ironman Staffordshire in the UK.
Cunnama finished third, just over a minute ahead of Marais in East London and remains an accomplished athlete both locally and internationally.
He is the only African athlete to go sub-eight hours over the full distance (1.9km swim, 89.9km cycle and 21.1km run) and holds the highest finish for a South African at the Ironman World Championship with a fourth place in 2013.
Although plagued by injuries over the past few seasons, Cunnama looks to be back to his best this year. He comes into the race off an impressive second place finish at Ironman Nice in France.
The professional women’s field features defending champion, Parys Edwards, of the Uk, South African hopeful Annah Watkinson and the Czech Republic’s Lucie Zelenkova.
Edwards experienced injury setbacks, keeping her out of racing during the beginning of the season.
She has recovered in time to mount a title defence but will find it tough going in a strong women’s professional field.
The Zimbabwean-born British athlete had a consistent race in 2015 holding off Andrea Steyn and Lucie Zelenkova to take the win.
Annah Watkinson has made the transition from dominant amateur to rising professional star this year, making her professional debut at the Standard Bank Ironman South Africa in January where she finished third.
Watkinson raced the Standard Bank Ironman Durban in 2015 as an amateur and recorded the fastest overall women’s time including the fastest bike and run splits. After impressive debut performances this year, she will be aiming to continue her upward trajectory in Durban.
The entries for tomorrow’s race also include former Springbok fullback Stefan Terblanche who will be joined by Sharks legends John Smit, John Slade, Ollie Le Roux and former South African cricketer, Andre Nel in the colours of the Ironman 4 the Kidz Charity Trust.
The trust is raising funds for two children-based beneficiaries in Durban for 2016. For more information on the trust, visit www.ironman4thekidz. co.za.
Caroline Wostmann, the 2015 Comrades women’s winner who finished second to Charne Bosman in this year’s Down Run, has also entered the Ironman ... her first triathlon.
“I have no idea what to expect,” said Wostmann.
“I am just going to have as much fun as possible and take it as it comes. I have a bunch of friends, who are experienced Ironmen and women, joining me and they’ve fuelled my excitement for the event.
“Because I am recovering (after Comrades), I will be running according to heart rate and keeping my heart rate in my recovery zone. It will possibly be my longest half marathon ever,” said Wostmann.
“Since Comrades, all I have been doing is biking and swimming.
“I love swimming but I am petrified of the ocean swim. I have only ever swum in a pool so I have no idea what to expect.
“I’m hoping to go out the day before with a friend just to get some tips before race day.”
The Durban event offers 30 qualifying slots for the 2016 World Championship in Moololaba, Australia, on September 4. – Sports Reporter