Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 64, November 2014 | Page 16

Ma feature

SUPER STU
Top pro multisporter Stuart Marais finished fourth in his first
70.3 Half Ironman at the beginning of this year in Buffalo
City, then pulled off his first win on the European circuit
and went on to qualify for the 70.3 World Champs, but
was unfortunately unable to go compete. Now he has
set his sights on getting to Australia for the next World
Champs. – BY SEAN FALCONER

Stu on his way to
winning the 2013
Totalsports Challenge.

With a successful first season of 70.3 racing behind him, Stuart reckons he
has found his true triathlon niche, thanks largely to his running speed.
“I don’t think the Half Iron is won or lost on the swim, and I usually
come out in the second bunch, so I’ve been working really hard on the
bike, because I believe the 70.3 is won by the most conserved biker,
getting into the run fresher. I’ve changed my training dynamic to
work towards that,” says Stuart. “I’m from a running background,
and when I’m in form, there are very few guys who can run with
me off the bike, so it is a great confidence-booster for me if I
start the run amongst the top guys, because normally I can pull
it through.”
Having raced 70.3s in SA, Europe and Malaysia, Stuart qualified
for the 70.3 World Champs in Canada, but was forced to withdraw
due to a fatigue problem, and says he‘d like to give ]H8