Durban race a success

Michael Davidson won Sunday’s Tri Rock half ironman distance race on Durban Beachfront in a time of four hours six minutes 18 seconds for the 1.9km swim 90km cycle and 21km course. 

The current SA Long Distance champion gained the lead in the cycle out to Zimbali and back having emerged from the water over 37 seconds adrift from Brad Venter who took only 25 minutes 43 seconds for the 1.9km surf swim at Ushaka was the early leader amongst the eleven Pro triathletes but it was Davidson who led into the run having posted the fastest time for the cycle up to Zimbali and back.

With a final 73 minute 18 seconds half marathon Davidson opened his lead over Durban’s Donovan van Gelder to take the tape in four hours six minutes 18 seconds, and signaled the return of long distance triathlon to Durban where the country’s first ultra triathlon was held in 1983.

Freddy Lampret was third, four minutes after van Gelder in 4:15:45, while Lynnette van der Merwe beat Samantha Ferreira to the line in the ladies race in 4:54:00

The Tri Rock Durban provided a weekend full of events commencing with the Chicks Rock colour 6km beach run on Friday night, a sprint 400m swim, 18km cycle and 4km run and two Kidz Rock events on the Saturday afternoon, and closed with the half ironman distance. 

(File Photo:Gallo Images)

- ECRSportswave - Norrie Williamson