MULTISPORT
Kura had to dig deep in the early stages of the 2023 run .
bike , because mine was badly damaged during the crash ,” he says .
That forced Kura to start fundraising for another bike , with an entry-level road bike going for R7000 at the time , but he says he initially struggled to obtain donations . “ People did not believe that I was going to use the money to buy a bike , so I that I could take part in IRONMAN . I heard people saying that I did not look like a triathlete , that I looked unfit , and I was just going to use the money for something else . This really hurt me . Fortunately , IRONMAN South Africa gave me a proof of entry letter that helped with my fundraising ,” he says .
Instead of relying just on donations , Kura put all his energy into making his dream a reality , by working double shifts and overtime in order to get to his target . “ I managed to raise the money I needed to get a bike , but then the COVID pandemic forced the country into lockdown and the IRONMAN was postponed ,” he recalls . That forced him to put his dream on temporary hold , but he continued training , even though he says he faced still more challenges along the way .
“ I had to juggle my training with my work , so it was extremely difficult . I cycled or ran to and back from work every day for my two shifts , but I did not belong to a gym , so I had to wait for the beaches to open so that I could swim again . I was fortunate to be given a second-hand wetsuit from one of the friendly people in my community , and I must say that I have been so lucky to bump into the right people at the right time throughout this journey . The Nelson Mandela Bay community has helped me with a lot of things that I needed , and they have been so kind to me !” says a visibly emotional Kura .
More Body Blows …
Fast-forward to 2021 , bringing with it the long-awaited return of the IRONMAN , but just three weeks before the race , Kura was dealt another setback . While he was at work , his bike was stolen , and Kura admits that he felt totally dejected . “ I was devastated , but luckily , Paul Wolff from IRONMAN South Africa leant me a bike to use for the event .”
Race day finally arrived , and Kura felt ready for the big one , but then the weather Gods intervened with strong winds and rough seas . “ Wow , that was very tough !”
Race day finally arrived , and Kura felt ready for the big one , but then the weather Gods intervened with strong winds and rough seas . “ Wow , that was very tough ! The ocean conditions were bad , the current was even moving buoys , but I enjoyed it because I trained
enough to face that . The organisers shortened the swim , which was a good call by them – I even heard they gave people an option not to swim at all , and just start with the bike . I did not want that option , because I was confident in my training and abilities . It was my dream to do the swim , so I did it ,” says Kura .
“ The first lap on the bike was easy , but the second loop was gruesome , and that is when I experienced what being an IRONMAN athlete really means . It was even tougher than the swim ! Then came the run … I am a good runner , but it is tough running after swimming and biking at an IRONMAN . I walked the first 10 kilometres , but after I got my breath back , I started running and got into a rhythm , and I actually enjoyed the run leg in the end .”
Looking to the Future
Now , with three IRONMAN medals in his collection , Kura says his desire to tackle the IRONMAN is undiminished , and he fully intends lining up for the event again in 2024 . “ I would like to take part in next year ’ s IRONMAN , because I still want to take on a full swim , and to improve my times for the bike and run legs . I love this race , and I am so happy to be able to participate each year . Thank you to everyone who has made this journey possible , as I could not do this on my own ,” says Kura .
“ I think the secret to this goal will be spending more time on the bike and getting in some much-needed mileage . Also , I want to use this year ’ s Comrades to improve my stamina on the run , because for me that is a mental thing – if I get a good Comrades time , it will help in my IRONMAN goals . I would also like to participate in the ISUZU IRONMAN 70.3 Mossel Bay at the end of the year , so hopefully I can raise enough funds to be able to enter . That will be the perfect way to end the year !”
You are an IRONMAN
Here is short video recap of how Kura Mazongo ’ s day went at the 2023 ISUZU IRONMAN Southern African Champs even on 5 March .
With eyes set on the goal , Kura is still chasing his IRONMAN dreams .
Images : Sportograf , FinisherPix
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Siya Ndzimande is the Regional PR & Communications Coordinator ( Europe , Middle East & Africa ) for the IRONMAN Group .
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