28 November 2008
COASTAL fever in Swakopmund gains momentum with the Swakop Half Iron taking place on December 6.
Pupkewitz, FNB and Puma will again be the co-sponsors of the ultra triathlon, which consists of a 1.9-km swim, 90-km cycle and 21-km run.
The event organisers, OTB Sport, said the Swakop setting was a big appeal.
A number of South African and international athletes have booked their tickets and last year's winner, Nico Sterk (SA's top 10 ultra athlete), will be back to defend his title.
Some of Namibia's best will be competing as individuals or in teams.
Individual participants include Paddy Murphy, last year's winner of the PE Iron Man veteran category, overall third in the Hawaiian Xterra and the winner of 2008 Mariental Triathlon.
Other seasoned ultra distance triathletes include Paul Brinkmann, previous national champion, and Patrick de Goede.
In teams, some of the best of their discipline will compete.
Frans Hosea, currently the fastest 20-km runner in Namibia, and Robert Kaxuxukena will be in action, while in cycling, Nick du Plessis and Heiko Redecker, who recently won the 2008 Tour de Windhoek, will race it out for their teams.
OTB Sport said they expected around 110 participants and they attributed the growth in numbers over the last years to the securing of the Puma, Pupkewitz and FNB sponsorships.
The new routes make the most of the sea setting and the Flexible Team Concept.
The Flexible Team Concept allows up to four people to form a team and team members can substitute at all loop points, so disciplines and distances can be adapted to suit the abilities of team members.
OTB Sport said the focus of the triathlon is on growing the sport in Namibia by introducing triathlon to both the specialist athlete and recreational athletes by encouraging team participation and giving teams flexibility.
A large gathering of spectators is expected and despite the big distance the triathlon is spectator friendly as each discipline's route (swim, cycle, run) consists of three loops back to the Mole, so onlookers can keep track of the action.
The distances are as follows: Sea swim of 1,9 km (3 loops of 630 m), cycle of 90 km (3 x 30 km), run of 21 km run (3 x 7 km) The entry is fees are N$70 per team member and N$150 for individuals.
The first 100 entrants will receive a Puma event T-shirt and prizes are valued at over N$20 000.
Entry forms can be collected from OTB Sports shops in Wernhil, Craft Centre, Swakopmund and Oshakati.
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