WHO TO WATCH
Paul Ingpen shares his predictions for the BIG5 Sport Challenge field. �eep an eye on these guys �and girls��
Stuart Marais
Stuart Marais, the sensational runner turned pro triathlete who has won many Ironman titles, is the undisputed‘ King Of Knysna’. He’ s won the last three events and will be coming off the back of a big training block, so barring injury he is odds on favourite to defend his BIG5 crown for a fourth time.
Stuart is now racing Ironman 70.3 globally so we’ re lucky to have him here again mid-season, just weeks after he defends his 70.3 title in Durban. His pure run speed, mixed with mental and physical toughness makes him close to unbeatable in the cold, muddy and hilly forest battlegrounds.
Should this tough father of two boys from George fail to dominate for 10 days straight, professional athlete Theo Blignaut will be the most notable threat.
Theo may closely resemble an innocent version of Matthew McConaughey, but the ex-sprint triathlete and uber swimmer has taken to the dirt in a huge way. If his MTB race goes well, expect him to lead the rankings after the first weekend.
That said, every year we see surprises when athletes have bad days or mechanical issues as the week-long event unfolds. A bunch of pedigreed fast, hungry piranhas are snapping at their heels if they show signs of weakness.
The following young amateurs, in no particular order, should make up the top five and will all be jostling for a space on the final podium on the Saturday night after the Forest Marathon.
Dean Hopf is a talented amateur who now has BIG5 experience and will have done his homework to give Theo a proper challenge. Mike Cannon is possibly the strongest runner( 2:44 marathon), so if the cold water doesn’ t get to him again and he can last a week, he is a great bet for a top five finisher.
Aidan Nugent is a supertalented LLB student from KZN who has represented SA at Junior ITU Cup races and made the Top 10 in a stacked field at �terra Champs – another big threat if he lasts all week.
Andrea Steyn
Unlike the men, the ladies field has a much tighter and mouthwatering battle lined up since World Duathlon championship runner-up Andrea Steyn unseated the threetime defending Champion Carla Van Huysteen last year. The old rivals will once again come down to the wire as Carla’ s well-known mountain-bike skills – which are important on Knysna’ s muddy and wet trails – are matched by Andrea’ s legendary run speed. You will battle to meet more likeable and professional athletes who represent all that’ s healthy about multisport; they’ re modest, gentle and good friends off the bike but expect war on the trails!
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