THE Professional Triathletes Organisation announced on October 21 that it will provide a $15 000 (around R236 000) professional prize purse for The People’s Triathlon, which will take place on Sunday, November 15, in Nelson Mandela Bay.
The People’s Triathlon is a fairly new event on the national calendar, in only its second year, and has been well received, both as a great event and also as one of the country’s major fund-raising initiatives for Rotary International’s “End Polio Now” campaign.
The People’s Triathlon professional race will be a non-drafting middle-distance race, designed to maximise spectator enjoyment starting with a 2km (one-way) swim between Hobie Beach and Pollok Beach, a three-lap 90km cycle on flat roads and a five-lap 21km flat run route along the beachfront.
The starting list for the men’s race includes Port Elizabeth homeboy, Kyle Buckingham, as well as James Cunnama, Henri Schoeman and Matt Trautman. The female line-up includes Annah Watkinson, Mariella Sawyer, Emma Pallant, Natia van Heerden, Jade Nicole Roberts and Magda Nieuwoudt.
Charles Adamo, executive chairperson of the Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO), commented, “PTO professionals have united around the world to help support local and regional races and our triathlon community. South Africa has had some of the most difficult travel and lockdown restrictions, so we are pleased to have the opportunity to support the South African triathlon community.
“It is a tribute to race director, Michael Zoetmulder, and the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, that they are able to host this event at this time and we are grateful to be a part of it.”
Zoetmulder, Zsports Events NPC managing director and People’s Triathlon race director, said, “After seven months in lockdown, it’s great to be finally back up and running with the hosting of events in Nelson Mandela Bay and fantastic that one of our first events back is the People’s Triathlon.
“This year we have the opportunity to feature both professional and amateur athletes from around the country, including our home grown African Ironman champion, Kyle Buckingham. It is a pleasure to welcome PTO professionals to the Nelson Mandela Bay race and I thank the PTO for their support in this regard.”
Cunnama, commented, “It has been an honour to work with fellow PTO professional, Trautman, and race director Zoetmulder, to provide a racing opportunity for professionals in South Africa. Thanks to the PTO we can create opportunities like this, and we are so grateful to have the chance to be a part of the People’s Triathlon and have a race here in South Africa.”
For more info go to www.zsports.co.za/ultratri.
Issued: Professional Triathletes Organisation
