Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 56, March 2014 | Page 34

Dare to Tri g on Takin ne! Big O the At the end of January, 60 Modern Athlete Dare to Tri athletes took on IRONMAN 70.3. Now 14 of them are ‘doubling up’ from the ‘half Ironman’ to take on the full IRONMAN South Africa in Port Elizabeth on 6 April. Images: Chris Hitchcock & Courtesy Dare to Tri athletes – BY LAUREN VAN DER VYVER and this positive lifestyle choice will hopefully filter through to my kids. I am also blessed to be able to run for Ironman for Kidz, which supports local children’s homes in the Eastern Cape as well as the Happy Ethan Project NGO. I wouldn’t be realising any of these dreams if it wasn’t for Dare to Tri. I wouldn’t have the confidence to attempt this were it not for coach Derickand all the members.” Elizma Jordaan: “I W ith a new route as well as a bigger field of about 2000 competitors expected, the 10th edition of IRONMAN South Africa – the only full IRONMAN on the African continent – is set to be the best yet, and part of the big day will be a number of Modern Athlete Dare to Tri team members, fresh from their success in finishing the IRONMAN 70.3 in Buffalo City. For most it will be a first taste of the full when they line up at the start on Hobie Beach, and we asked them why they’re tackling the big one Brenda Pritchard: “I knew I had to attempt the full distance! It can be compared to runners who say they will never run Comrades, and then there they are, crossing the finish line at Comrades, collecting their medal. The human spirit gives us all courage to tackle the impossible! I am hoping to cross that finish line and collect my medal.” Dave Bennett: “From a 40-a-day smoker 18 months ago to this is a transformation I certainly never envisaged, 34 ISSUE 56 MARCH 2014 / www.modernathlete.co.za attempted my first 70.3 this year and I was only on the waiting list for Ironman (890th, I may add), so I wasn’t planning on getting in. When I did get an entry a week before 70.3, I was excited. I can do much more than what I ever dreamed of. The training is not always easy, but it taught me so much about myself. Ironman will be my ultimate challenge. I know it is going to b HH