The 8th edition of the Spec-Savers IRONMAN South Africa provided a true test of character as athletes were faced with challenging weather conditions. Spain’s Clemente Alonso-McKernan came out on top after a long battle with Andi Boecherer (GER) and Cyril Viennot (FRA) while Natascha Badmann (SUI) completed her comeback by winning the title again.

 

Things looked ominous in the evening before the event and Sunday morning didn’t give much cause for optimism. Rain and strong winds lashed the Port Elizabeth beachfront as many athletes became anxious about whether there’d be a swim start. Conditions improved slightly and the swim start went ahead with 1553 athletes in the mass swim start.

 

The always-optimistic Virgin Active SA Water-station teams were ready for the 1553 athletes to pass the vibe area and assist with water, cola and plenty of smiles!  The Active Angels helped the athletes on with a cheer and a dance move while the Greame Watkins Project entertained the spectators.  

 

“This event highlights the amazing perseverance and spirit of people and being a part of it is such a huge honour.  We are there to help the athletes on their way, and often a little hug here and there, but we are there for the supporters! The Active Angels are amazing and they are always ready to help where they can! We cannot wait for the 2013 events,” says Chantel Rall, PR & Sponsorship manager at Virgin Active SA.

 

Despite wind and rain, the Virgin Active team waited for the last man “walking” and when Tienie Ferreira passed through, it was clear that he needed some company to complete his last 500 meters.  Tienie Ferreira will be the first to admit that he is nowhere near as well known an IRONMAN as Clemente Alonso-Mckernan. Yet for many who followed the event, their abiding memory will not be the Spaniard crossing the finish-line in a time of 8 hours and 24 minutes, it will be of anxiously tracking the progress of “last man”, Tienie, and of willing him to reach the finish-line before the cut-off time of 17 hours.  

 

The 39 year-old businessman, and Virgin Active member, said: “I targeted a finish-time of around 15 hours.  The windy conditions made the bike leg extremely difficult. Things got really tough after the bike leg of the race. Even though I knew I was in trouble I tried to make up time on the run, hoping things would improve. I think it was with about 10km to go that I realized I was unlikely to finish in time. My goal then was to make sure that I finished the race on the road. I always tell my kids that they mustn’t quit when things get tough, so it would hardly do for them to see their Dad give up.”

 

Commenting on the Virgin Active team of Active Angels helping him through the last minutes of the race: ” They were great. You feel the support of the crowd and you want to push on but you know you’ve got nothing in the tank,” he said.

 

The 2012 Spec-Savers IRONMAN South Africa was truly a test of spirit but despite the conditions, the event was once again enjoyed by spectators and respected by the athletes. The 8th edition of the event will be talked about for a long time to come.

 

?Provisional Results Top 10 PRO Men?1: Clemente Alonso-McKernan (ESP) 08:34:35?2. Cyril Viennot (FRA) 08:41:48?3. Mike Aigroz (SUI) 08:46:04?4. Markus Fachbach (GER) 08:57:21?5. Trevor Delsaut (FRA) 09:03:03?6. Petr Vabrousek(CZE) 09:09:57?7. Craig Twigg (GBR) 09:10:48?8. Sylvain Rota (FRA) 09:11:24?9. Kent Horner (RSA) 09:14:39?10. Guilherme Manocchio (BRA) 09:20:56

 

Provisional Results Top 5 Ladies?1. Natascha Badmann (SUI) 09:47:10?2. Simone Braendli (SUI) 09:52:26?3. Diana Riesler (GER) 10:01:14?4. Dianne McEwan (RSA) 10:07:55?5. Susan Dietrich (GER) 10:08:02

 

ENDS 

 

*Notes:

High res images available on request

 

Virgin Active’s mission is to get South Africans fit and healthy and help them to live happily ever active. Young or old, fit or unfit, it’s all good.  With almost 100 clubs nationally and many more in the pipeline, Virgin Active aims to be South Africa’s most loved health club chain. Virgin Active was recently voted second in the large company category of the 2011 Deloitte’s Best Company to Work for Survey. Established by Sir Richard Branson, the Virgin brand is synonymous with pushing boundaries, being innovative and truly daring in whatever it does. From exploring planets and stars in space to opening a bank; there’s never a dull day when it comes to this fun-loving, thrill-seeking group of companies. 

 

Chantel Rall

Tel:         +27 21 684 3000

Email: chantel.rall@virginactive.co.za