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Powerade Triple Challenge fever hits KZN

22.11.2005

Triple Challenge fever hit KZN this week as nearly 800 multi-sport athletes from all over South Africa begin to congregate and prepare themselves for South Africa's biggest 1-day multi-sport event. The event traverses from Pietermaritzburg to Msinsi's Inanda Dam in the beautiful and rugged valley of 1 000 hills. Athletes will compete as individuals or as members of teams as they take on the three legs of the event. Starting with a 21.8km run from The Peter Booysens Stadium in Pietermaritzburg along the Comrades Marathon route to Squires Road transition area in Camperdown. Here the athletes will jump onto their mountain bikes and race towards Inanda Dam over the 52km cycle leg which is full of surprises amd includes a 9km khamkazi dirt road downhill section as they drop down into the heat of the valley.From here they cycle their way along the edge of the dam and up the 'two mothers' before reaching the cycle/paddle transition at Inanda Dam.A 22km paddle on the dam with two 2km portages then awaits them before they cross the finish line and claim their personal victory.

This year 151 individual athletes have taken on the personal challenge to race themselves over this dynamic and unforgiving course. The star studded field across all the categories, includes the likes of Comrades legend, Nic Bester, Dusi specialist and adventure racer, Martin Dreyer and Jaysen Golding, all past winners of this event. Mens favourites include Philip Hayward, 2nd last year and Iain Don Wouchope, world champion duathlete.Other top contenders include, Wayne Thompson, Kelby Murray, Trevor Hellens and Jean-Paul van der Linde.With Laura Thompson, ladies winner for the past 2 years, not taking part this year the ladies race is wide open with Dusi queen Abbey Miedema competing for the first time as well as Janette Walder, Dusi winner and adventure racer.Local girls Landy Taylor, Su Erskine will be sure to give the 'out of towners' a run for their money.

The team categories is where the racing snakes and sport specific athletes team up to do battle.In the pairs section 2002 winner Martin Dreyer will be teaming up with Michael Mbanjwa (Dusi Gold medalist) as Team Island Tribe, Shaun Biggs - Dusi gold medalist, white water specialist and part of the SA K4 sprint team will be teaming up with Dusi wonder boy, Loveday Zondi as Team Jeep and Stuart Rawlinson, 2nd in the Vaal Canoe Marathon will be teaming up with Chester Foster.The 3 man teams will be equally competitive with specialist teams entered from the likes of Team Jeep, New Balance and Mr Price. The 4 man teams sees a good mix of mens, ladies and mixed combinations taking part with the corporate section once again showing some interesting combinations. In the schools category Maritzburg College will have a head to head battle with old rivals Michaelhouse.

'The Powerade Triple Challenge is a different event than others, its has a family feel to it, a feel of belonging.The multi-sport community has really come to the party this year, we are overwhelmed with this positive response, its our biggest field yet', said race organizer Max Cluer.

With a festive atmosphere at the finish, athletes and their families can expect another great day at Inanda Dam .Individuals will get underway at 5h00 with the 2B pairs at 5h30 and teams at 6am. The winners are expected home from 10h15 onwards and there is great spectator points and atmosphere at the finish.

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