A dream two years in the making has finally seen the finish line.
Ironwoman Carla Annas completed a self-organised triathlon on Saturday 25 November and, in doing so, not only reached her fundraising target, but exceeded it.
“It was a wonderful day and I am so grateful to each person who helped make it so successful,” she said. “I am also very grateful to everyone who donated to the Community In Action (CIA) Scholarship, providing one child from the local community a full primary-school education at the Stellenbosch Waldorf School. My goal was to raise R500 000 by the end of 2023 and I am thrilled to announce I have raised a total of R562 107.”
Revelling in an unparalleled sense of accomplishment and purpose, Annas said it had gone really well as the weather was perfect and she was fortunate enough to be accompanied in all three disciplines by the South African 7’s High Performance Manager and former Blitzbok, Marius Schoeman.
“He is also one of Annchen Clarke’s training camp triathletes, and Annchen, also my coach, did the cycle and run alongside us. A number of others, including Johan Kirsten and Charl Beyleveld, both parents at Stellenbosch Waldorf School, participated in individual legs of the race. I also had an amazing support crew along the way; family and friends drove behind us during the cycle and run, and set up various aid stations along the way.”
The race started off at 07:00 with the 1,9 km swim at Coetzenburg Dam, where the water was great and many supporters were screaming, shouting and cheering during the swimming leg.
“The four laps around the dam were easy and I got into a good rhythm,” Annas related. “By 07:38 we were done and at Transition 1, transitioning into cycling gear. So many people from Stellenbosch Waldorf School supported me on the day, including the chairperson of the school’s board of trustees, Claudia Rudolph and her son Jamie in Class 4. They saw Marius, Annchen and me off on our bikes, and we headed through Stellenbosch and out onto the R44 to do the 90 km cycle. We cycled along Annandale Road twice, past the turn-off to the school, where we always had supporters cheering us on. The last couple of kilometres we were ready to get off our bikes, but overall the cycle was great and there was still no wind.”
They headed to Transition 2 at the school, to start the run. The annual Advent Market was happening and they were greeted by a big crowd of cheering supporters. Jill Berning, school manager, led the cheers and many children had made posters and shouted and sang as they changed into running gear.
“Six of us did the 21,1 km run out along the Lynedoch Road. By this time it was 11:30 and it was getting hot, but there was a slight breeze to cool us down. I kept my pace and finished my run 11 minutes quicker than last year! I felt strong and by 13:30 was ready to tackle the last hill, knowing that the supporters were waiting for us at the finish line. I was so excited to see a tractor full of school children coming out of the school to meet me! The children piled out and ran alongside us to the finish line where we were greeted by friends, family and the school community!”
Annas reiterated her gratitude and appreciation for all the support, and will now take a well deserved break before returning overseas for the next three months as a chef stewardess on a yacht before returning back home again, after which she will start planning further endeavours for Community In Action again to make a difference in the lives of the less fortunate.
