Schoeman wins Triathlon Cup

Augustine Hwata Sports Reporter
WITH hosts Zimbabwe having no representation in the elite category of the Troutbeck International Triathlon Union African Cup, South Africa’s Henry Schoeman beat seven other athletes to win in Nyanga on Saturday.
The South African completed the 1 500m swim, 40km bicycle ride and 10km run in 2 hours 01 minutes 44seconds.
Schoeman completed the swim in 18 minutes 14s before doing 1 hour 26 minutes 45 seconds on the bike and 34 minutes 29 seconds on the road race while some of the time was swallowed in changing over events.

In second place was Travis Johnston, also of South Africa, who finished the race in 2 hrs 6 mins 15s while Graham Leitch from the United Kingdom took the bronze medal in 2:11:27.

Colin O’Brady of the United States was fourth in 2:14:40 while Jacobus Kruger and Dilan Pivo of South Africa occupied the next slots.
Mohammed Elsaeed of Egypt failed to last the distance.

The Egyptian was the last athlete out of the water as he was five minutes behind Schoeman before throwing in the towel before the 10km run.

Cindy Schwults of South Africa was the only female athlete and was brave enough to compete alongside the men and finished in 2:33:06.
While Zimbabwe did not field athletes in the elite division, the hosts were represented in the adults and youth sections with Martin Mbofana, the only black triathlete who competed, winning a gold medal in the relay.

Mbofana teamed up with James Soper as their partnership completed the event in 1 hour 15 minutes.
Soper swam the 750m lap before handing the baton to Mbofana who rode for 20km and then ran 5km.
“I think the turnout was impressive because we had nearly 90 people taking part in the triathlon events while most people, over 200 of them, competed in the swim.

“The event was challenging because of the high temperatures and the hilly terrain,” said Mbofana. Mbofana, who is a sports coach at Arundel Girls High, said he is now hoping to remain in shape for the All-Africa Championships which will once again be at Troutbeck next year.