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 Ma Into the Heart of Soweto T 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. 41