Other locals who took part were Andrew Cronje, who completed his third Ironman, and Tim Toovey and Julian Pretorius both finishing their second one. For the six others it was their first encounter with this gruelling competition in which athletes have to swim 3,8km; cycle for 180km and then run another 42,2km – all within 17 hours.
More than 1 700 athletes were in action this year in almost perfect weather conditions unlike 2012 where most of the athletes had to throw in the towel after the swimming event.
This year's competition was won by Ronnie Schildknecht, a professional athlete from Switzerland in a time of 8:11;24. The last athlete finished in 16:57;58.
George's Melluscha Farnham finished se-cond in her age group thereby qualifying for the World Ironman competition to be held in Kona, Hawaii, later this year. Farnham was also included in the South African Triathlon team for the World Meeting in England later this year.
Results of the local athletes were:
Andrew Cronje 11:42;34, Tim Toovey 11:42;35, Taig Marshall 12:07;18, Melluscha Farnham 12:07;25, Johan la Grange 13:16;02, Duppie du Preez 13:23;56, Elleen Ketterer 13:25;56, Julian Pretorius 13:30;58, Morné Gericke 13:52;35 and Johan Pretorius 16:22;27.
Five of the local athletes who completed the South African Ironman Competition in Port Elizabeth. From the left: Mellussca Farnham, Tim Toovey, Andrew Cronje, Johan la Grange en Duppie du Preez
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