Just under 900 multi-sport athletes and sport enthusiasts were seen in action on Saturday, 12 January 2013 at the 11th annual Totalsports Challenge presented by Liberty Medical Scheme and REHIDRAT® SPORT that started in Gordon’s Bay and finished in Kleinmond.
Stuart Marais was crowned the champion in the individual men’s category of the Totalsports Challenge presented by Liberty Medical Scheme and REHIDRAT® SPORT with an impressive finishing time of 05hours13minutes30seconds. Photo Credit ~ Cherie Vale / Newsport Media
Due to windy weather conditions experienced in Gordon’s Bay, the 12km surfski discipline had to be cancelled for participant safety. This meant that for the first time in the history of the event the Totalsports Challenge started with a 1km swim discipline. Going into the race participants and spectators alike were looking forward to witnessing the battle between XTERRA athletes Dan Hugo and Stuart Marais. It was a game of tug and war with Hugo taking the lead from the start, exiting the swim and heading out onto the road bike discipline in first place. Marais made his move on the road run, going into the K1 canoe in first place. Hugo, catching Marais just before the end of the K1 canoe, took the lead into the mountain bike and beach run disciplines. It was on the beach run that Marais made his final attack, passing Hugo shortly after the half way mark, not looking back he crossed the finish line first in an impressive time of 05hours13minutes30seconds. According to Marais crossing the finish line in 1st place was a phenomenal experience. “I didn’t know whether I should laugh or cry. It was rough going today, with Dan going out super hard. He is so resilient, by far the toughest oak I’ve ever had to race against. The Totalsports Challenge is an amazing event from the vibe to the support, to the seconding teams. It’s world class. This is definitely my biggest career win and I look forward to defending my title in 2014,” says Marais. Dan Hugo came in second, while Gustav Hefer finished third.
Jeannie Bomford was crowned the champion in the individual women’s category of the Totalsports Challenge presented by Liberty Medical Scheme and REHIDRAT® SPORT crossing the finish line in an amazing time of
06hours33minutes54seconds . Photo Credit ~ Cherie Vale / Newsport Media
Jeannie Bomford marked her return to the Totalsports Challenge with a well deserved win, crossing the finish line in an impressive time of 06hours33minutes54seconds. “It’s tough being back,” says Bomford. “The last time that I competed was in 2009, since them I’ve had two children. The event has definitely grown, with loads of new faces now competing. The Totalsports Challenge is just that, a real challenge, but I love it. I love all the disciplines. It just makes life so much more exciting. I definitely want to come back next year”. Jane Swarbreck came in second, while Martha Koekemoer finished third.
Bradley Weiss took gold in the individual men’s category of the Totalsports Terra Firma Challenge presented by Liberty Medical Scheme and REHIDRAT®, completing the four disciplines in a deserving time of 04hours02minutes26seconds. Nico Pfitzenmaier came in second, while Marcel Roos finished third.
Karlien De Bruin was victorious in the individual women’s category of the Totalsports Terra Firma Challenge presented by Liberty Medical Scheme and REHIDRAT® with a spectacular finishing time of 05hours34minutes26seconds. Carina Van Der Merwe came in second, while Keri Delport finished third.
EVENT INFORMATION:
DATE: Saturday, 12 January 2013
VENUE: Start – Gordon’s Bay (Beach Front)
End – Kleinmond (Beach Front)
EVENT: Totalsports Challenge – 1.5km swim, 50km road bike (from Gordon’s Bay to Kleinmond), 13km road run, 13km K1 canoe, 25km mountain bike and finally a 9km beach run (the 12km surfski was cancelled due to strong winds in Gordon’s Bay)
FORMAT: Athletes could enter individually or in two, three or seven member teams
EVENT: Totalsports Terra Firma Challenge – 50km road bike (from Gordon’s Bay to Kleinmond), 13km road
run, 25km mountain bike and 9km beach run.
FORMAT: Athletes could enter individually or in two or four member teams
Follow us on Twitter: @tschallenge
Like our FaceBook page: Totalsports
