Michael Lord Xterra Warrior
Over 1000 XTERRA Warriors gathered at Grabouw Country Club on Saturday, 25 February 2012 to be part of the excitement of the 2012 Totalsports XTERRA Lite presented by REHIDRAT® SPORT. Youngster Michael Lord was the warrior to beat on the day running to victory in an impressive time of 01 hour 08 minutes 40 seconds, Genevieve Weber was the first lady home in a deserving time of 01 hour 23 minutes 13 seconds.
According to Lord, the XTERRA Lite was great. “The swim was nice and flat. I think I was second out the water. I didn’t see the guy ahead of me on the mountain bike. I only saw him for the first time on the run, passing him on the ‘beach’ section. I much rather want to race XTERRA over road triathlon. It’s a lot more fun and has more depth to it. I love it and will definitely be back next year,” says Lord. Craig Andrews came in second, while Bradley Schuit finished third.
For Weber the single track was the highlight of the day. “The XTERRA Lite was awesome. I loved the single track both on the bike and the run. When it comes to swimming I feel like a cat in water, but I absolutely loved the mountain bike and run routes. This is my fourth XTERRA. I love the atmosphere and will definitely be back next year,” says Weber. Madelie van der Westhuizen came in second, while Monique Nel finished third.
Totalsports XTERRA Lite Warriors had to complete a 400m swim, 12.5km mountain bike and 5km trail.
New Balance Trail Run: Just over 150 runners took part in the 5km and 10km New Balance Trail Run in Grabouw on Saturday, 25 February 2012. Dawid Visser took no prisoners in the 10km men’s race, while Nicole Marais was the runner to beat in the ladies race.
According to Visser the route was really technical. “I don’t think the XTERRA Full athletes know what they are up against tomorrow. The run route is seriously technical with a lot of ups, downs and loads of obstacles. I went into the race with the idea of using it as a speed session. Rohan Kennedy and I stuck together until the 5km mark. It was on the hill section that I pulled away. Although I managed to make up time on the technical sections, Anele Mnukwa was really fast on the flats, managing to stay behind me. As a result I was pushed the entire race. The New Balance Trail Run fits really well with the XTERRA weekend. Families are able to join in the fun either by participating or relaxing and showing support,” says Visser who completed the run in 44minutes42seconds. Anele Mnukwa came in second, while Rohan Kennedy finished third.
Nicole Marais was pleasantly surprised when she managed to finish ahead of Landie Visser. “Although I don’t run a lot, I really love trail running especially the technical aspect of having to get a strategy in place. Today’s run was awesome with short hills and technical sections. It was different to other routes. I really enjoyed it and will definitely be back next year,” says Marais who completed the 10km route in 53minutes44secs. Landie Visser came in second, while Yolandi Visser finished third.
Kirsten Hahnebeck was the first lady home in the 5km New Balance Trail Run. Emily Hodgson came in second, while Orianne Wallace finished third.
Stefan Botma took gold in the 5km New Balance Trail Run men’s race. Graeme Cherry came in second, while Richard Haller finished third.
South African XTERRA Championship: Excitement builds as XTERRA Warriors prepare for the Totalsports XTERRA South African Championship presented by REHIDRAT® SPORT on Sunday, 26 February 2012.
Venue: Grabouw Country Club, Western Province
Event Start: 08h30
Event Format: 1.5km swim, 25km mountain bike and 10km trail run
Pro athletes to watch out for on the day will include four-time XTERRA World Champion Conrad Stoltz, South African multi sport legend Dan Hugo, German XTERRA Warrior Nico Pfitzenmaier, Stuart Marais, Justin Porteous, Tyronne White, Daniel Carleton, Carla van Huyssteen, Carina Wasle and Lezandre Joubert.
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