Usual stars shine at Ekurhuleni African Championships
For the third consecutive year, Henri Schoeman and Andrea Steyn took top honours at the Standard Bank 5150 Ekurhuleni African Championships, on Sunday, November 1, at Germiston Lake.
Schoeman and Steyn both successfully defended their respective men’s and women’s titles.
The brisk wind on race day made it a hard slog, but as expected it was Lucie Zelenkova, an exceptional swimmer, who exited the water first.
Steyn left the water in second place, followed by Cindy Schwulst and Riana Robertson.
Zelenkova started the bike section with a reasonable lead, but could not maintain the gap as Steyn quickly made up the time.
Schwulst also moved quickly and managed to move into second place, relegating Zelenkova to third.
Steyn entered the second transition first, with a lead of over two minutes, with Schwulst hot on her heels.
Steyn extended her lead in the run, winning with a time of two hours, seven minutes and 31 seconds.
“Although the wind was going out and about, making the race a bit hard, I pushed on and my gap gave me peace of mind,” said Steyn.
“It feels great to have won the race for the third time; I wanted it and gave it my all.”
Schwulst held on for second place in a time of two hours 11 minutes and 10 seconds, while Zelenkova rounded out the podium in third.
Schoeman started the race confidently, putting in an impressive swim and creating an early lead of over two minutes.
Rudolf Naude exited the water in second with Brad Edwards and Bradley Weiss not far behind.
Michael Davidson was out in sixth.
Not satisfied with a two-minute lead after the swim, Schoeman proceeded to put down the hammer on the bike, increasing his lead to three minutes.
Weiss moved into second, with Naude losing some ground in the heat and wind.
Schoeman entered the second transition with the day’s fastest bike split of 58 minutes and 51 seconds, with a four-minute lead over Weiss and Edwards.
Davidson was way back, entering the second transition in sixth, behind Naude and Donovan van Gelder.
With his lead well over five minutes, Schoeman was able to control his race, while remaining comfortably ahead.
Weiss kept his position, but Naude upped his tempo to move into third.
Davidson, meanwhile, set off at a blistering pace, reeling in van Gelder and Edwards, and managing to catch up to Naude.
Schoeman finished first, over six minutes ahead of Davidson, whose incredible effort on the run saw him make up four places into second.
Weiss brought up the final podium place only seconds behind Davidson.
“I am excited to have claimed this title for the third time,” said Schoeman.
“It is a great course, perfect venue and event and I enjoy coming over every year to be a part of it. I definitely will be taking part again next year, I want to see for how long I can keep my winning streak.”
“Hosting the championship is a big step for us,” said Ekurhuleni’s divisional head of sports and recreation, Atwell Sijadu.
“This is the third year we are hosting, which also marks the last year of the contract, however, we are in talks about a new contract which will, hopefully, include a triathlon for children.”
Both Steyn and Schoeman agreed that hard work, dedication, focus and consistent training have contributed to their success over the years.
