Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 77, December 2015 | Page 41

“What an amazing experience the 5150
African Champs was! The day started early,
the nerves were hectic, the day promised
to be a scorcher, and it delivered. The swim
began, I waited, taking a few breaths to calm
myself down before setting off. Before long I
was passing the first buoy and making my way
back to the embankment. The bike leg started
as the wind picked up and soon I was tasting
sand whenever I hydrated. The run was tough
in suffocating heat, but it paled in comparison
to the jubilation I felt as I crossed over the
finish line. Up next is an attempt at the 5150
in Bela Bela next year... and just maybe the 70.3 IRONMAN in Durban 2016!”

“My 5150 experience was exciting and
exhilarating! Training with the DTT programme
and team these past four months has been
fantastic and I have challenged and surprised
myself well outside of my comfort zone. Three
months ago I could only swim 150m and I didn’t
even own a road bike, but on 1 November, in
extremely hot and windy conditions, I celebrated
my first triathlon! I have loved training all three
disciplines and have made new friends along the
way. Receiving my Monday e-mail from Coach
gets me motivated for the week, as his passion
for this sport is contagious!
I now have to take some time out for family and work commitments, but will continue to
lay the foundation towards my 140.6 IRONMAN dream. My life motto stands: Challenge
yourself to do great things!”

“I always dreamed of completing a triathlon,
so I joined the DTT training group, and the
coaching, training and advice were fantastic.
Finally the big day arrived... Standing at
the start line, overwhelmed with fear and
excitement, the loud horn went off, and so
the race began. Those first 34 minutes felt
like I was in a washing machine, fighting for
every stroke and breath, and against every
negative emotion. I reached the end and then
there was the cycle. Soon I came to realise
that, once again, the elements were there
to challenge me, as I was fighting against a
41km/h wind, but before I knew it, my legs touched the ground and I was running
in 34-degree heat. I managed to keep my legs moving and focused on positive
affirmations, and finally I reached the finish line, with my husband cheering. My
emotions overwhelmed me, and brought tears to my eyes, as I had faced my
biggest fears, kept my mind strong and pushed myself beyond my boundaries. I
had done it!”

Sign up for DTT

If you want to train with the DTT group, go to
https://daretotri.canbook.me/e/view/8916 and follow
the prompts to register at just R1100 for the season.
You won’t get this level of coaching, including
coached weekend sessions, at this price anywhere
else. It’s time to DARE TO TRI!

advertorial

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Into the Heart of Soweto
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Over 19,000 runners took a ‘township tour’ in the Old Mutual Soweto Marathon, Half Marathon
and 10km on 1 November, and for the first time, all three routes took runners through the heart of
the famous township.
he Old Mutual Soweto Marathon is known as The People’s Race because it not only
brings people from all over the world to the streets of Soweto, but also because the
people of Soweto always come out in numbers to support the runners.

Harriet Jepchumba Chebore

Sintayehu Legese Yinesu

“True to tradition, The People’s Race attracted widespread support this year, with
Soweto residents lining the streets and adding a unique spirit and atmosphere to this
occasion,” said Mokaedi Dilotsotlhe, Chief Marketing Officer of Old Mutual Emerging
Markets. “With Soweto’s rich history and diverse culture as backdrop to the race, we
believe that it’s a race every South African should do at least once in their life.”
The marathon was won by defending champion, Sintayehu Legese Yinesu from
Ethiopia, who crossed the finish line in a time of 2:23:20. In the women’s marathon,
Kenyan Harriet Jepchumba Chebore led the field home in 2:50:15. The two marathon
winners each take home R200,000 in prize money. In the half marathon, Elroy Gelant
took line honours in 1:06:33, with Dinah-Rose Phalula winning the women’s title
in 1:19:45. Meanwhile, the 10km men’s title went to Namakoe Lucky Nkasi, while
Rutendo Nyahora took the women’s title.

Full results for the Old Mutual Soweto Marathon are available at www.sowetomarathon.com.

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