Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 54, January 2014 | Page 38
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Race Reports
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The Spur Adventure Duo & Sprint events form a funfilled series for the whole family, so if you haven’t
tried one of these entry-level AR events yet, make
this a New Year’s Resolution. – BY SEAN FALCONER
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For the fitter or more experienced multisporters, the 2013-2014 series
has seen the introduction of the Spur Adventure Duo long course option,
where athletes compete individually over a 20 to 25km MTB leg, followed
by a 10 to 12km trail run leg.
The next events in the series take place on 19 January (Lourensford,
Somerset West), 9 February (Grabouw Country Club), and 16 March (Paul
Cluver, Grabouw). For more info, go to www.quantumadventures.co.za.
Advertorial
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It’s the biggest race of its kind in the
Southern Hemisphere and it takes place in
East London, Buffalo City, on 26 January.
The sold-out IRONMAN 70.3 South Africa
promises to dish out some exciting tussles
with returning champions and the title
hopefuls looking to be number one.
The race will feature two previous winners, with
current champ Bart Aernouts being joined by Fraser
Cartmell, who returns for the first time since his win
here in 2010. The big twist in the 2013 race was
the last-minute withdrawal of local favourite James
Cunnama, but he is fresh off his fourth place finish at
the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona, Hawaii
– the best ever finish for a South African – and has
shown some good form in the latter part of the 2013
season with a win at IRONMAN 70.3 Cozumel, so
the South African will be hoping to break his duck on
local soil!
The introduction of new blood on the pro scene will
also add excitement to the event, notably with SA’s
Kyle Buckingham making his professional debut at
IRONMAN 70.3 South Africa. Strong challenges can
also be expected from the likes of Britain’s Will Clarke
and Frenchman Cyril Viennot, while SA’s Kent Horner
is no stranger to the top five!
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ISSUE 54 JANUARY 2014 / www.modernathlete.co.za
Women’s Way
Britain’s Jodie Swallow made this race her own
by winning a hat-trick of titles between 2011 and
2013, and it will be a brave person to bet against
the former IRONMAN 70.3 world champ. She
had an impressive 2013, which included second
at IRONMAN South Africa – her first ever full
distance IRONMAN race – as well as a maiden
IRONMAN win at IRONMAN Sweden. The women’s
pro field is further strengthened by the likes of
2009 champion Lucie Reed, 2013 runner-up Susie
Hignett and Switzerland’s Simone Braendli.
The only South African woman to win IRONMAN
70.3 South Africa is Mari Rabie, a feat she
achieved in 2010. This year local hopes fall on
Claire Horner and Dianne McEwan. Both athletes
did not have a particularly smooth 2013 due to a
combination of injuries, so they will be looking to
use IRONMAN 70.3 South Africa as a springboard
for a successful 2014!
Image: Craig Muller
Images: Jacques Marais
f a mountain-bike ride of between 10 and 15km, followed by a trail
run of around 3 to 5km including a fun water obstacle crossing on a
pleasant summer’s day sounds like fun to you, then get yourself down
to the Spur Adventure Sprint Series events in the Western Cape. These
events are designed to be fun and family-oriented, with emphasis placed
on team entries of family or friends, and it is terrific to see so many kids
taking part.