Champions all in 13th Ironman 70.3

HERE TO HELP: Ironman workers enjoying their day at the race are, from left, Kolosa Ngoro and Mihlali Mlandu

OUT AND ABOUT: Ethan Hyken, back, and,middle from left, Kershai Christoffel and Kaylene Jimmu and,front from left, Tristan Jimmy and Jayln Ruiters all enjoy the sunshine at the 13th East London Ironman 70.3

LENDING A HAND: From left, Khanya Gusha, Mareace Robert, Liyabona Makapela, Ovayo Sithole and Mangaliso Madikiza spend their morning volunteering for the Ironman

WONDER WOMEN: The women’s winners, from left, Emma Pallant (third), Flora Duffy (first) and Jade Nicole (second) celebrating their victory

WOMEN’S CHAMPION: Bermuda athelete Flora Duffy is the first woman to cross the finish line

MEN’S CHAMPION: Cape Town’s Matt Trautman crosses the finish line as the overall winner of the Ironman 70.3 SA

About 1,400 athletes flocked to the East London beachfront last weekend for the Ironman 70.3 SA. Cape Town’s Matt Trautman was crowned the men’s Ironman champion, and Flora Duffy, from Bermuda, was the female winner.

Trautman finished the gruelling course in 04:02:58, beating his counterpart and 2019’s winner, Bradley Weiss, who came second this year with a time of 04:05:48. Former champion and Olympic bronze medalist Henri Schoeman took third place with a time of 04:07:30.

“I was with the main pack at the start, so I had to make sure I got out of my transition quick,” Trautman said. “I knew Schoeman would have a bit of a gap on us out of the swim and I expected that but I was happy with my swim.”

Trautman then managed to get ahead in the run and also lead in the last 40 minutes of the
cycling stretch. “I made sure I got off the bike first and I thought Henri would be fast in the first 10km,” he said.

Trautman ’s next competition is the Ironman 70.3 Dubai and then the Ironman 70.3 SA World Championships in Port Elizabeth.

Duffy surprised the supporters after beating UK athlete Emma Pallant from the UK. Duffy finished in 04:34:04, while Pallant took second place in 04:36:08. SA’s Jade Nicole finished in third place in 04:41:17.