Race Report: Jeep Msinsi Multisport Series 2008 - Shongweni

Multisport Long Course - 5km trail run, 20km mountain bike, 5km paddle

1st - 3′52 ahead of Andrew Birkett

Shongweni is a South African experience, with its poverty stricken shanty town shacks at the entrance surrounding a stunning reserve with the affluent enjoying its privileges. While paddling I could look up at the mud homes on the hillside, and but be grateful. A part of life here. It ads to Shongweni’s character that makes it one of my favourite venues in South Africa.

The 5km run route was technical with tight mud crossings over wooden beams and edgy footing down embedded rock ledges that kept the 500 entrants entertained on foot. 5km with 500m of flat running, if that. But the climb was justly rewarded. Again Andrew Birkett and Lance Kime took out the start at full tilt. I hung back, trying to debate in my mind whether or not a warm up would have helped the lethargic legs after the big weeks miles. Maybe I’ll try a warm up next time.

They did warm to the occasion as I passed the fading rabits up the drag to the top. I’ve not done any quality yet and was glad to feel some freshness in the stride and the speed in my new Puma Complete Racer wasnt unpleasant as expected. Rhythm was great on the bike, and my S-Works Epic was neat on the bumpy grass cuttings. If only I was running wider tires than the 2.0 Fast Trak’s I was. Sand. As if Imana wasnt enough.

I’d built a fine lead by lap two’s close, and could enjoy the paddle with all its incredible back drops. Even those including the shacks. My Garmin 405 had calmed, and the 175 bpm it was counting on the ride was settling. A most enjoyed outing in what is starting to feel like a sporting communities fabric I’m woven into. I feel support from the locals here as much as anywhere - rider cheering as I ride them off the path while lapping them type vibe. Apologies.

Andrew and Lance again held second and third, with Craig in fourth as at Albert Falls. I really see great potential in Andrew and Lance, if only they’d take out the run more conservatively.

I even had two youngsters ask me to sign their arms this morning… I was more caught off guard than anything else. Didnt know whether to laugh or  blush or just sign. Eish. Good humour.

Results here.

Photo’s here.

Another race of interest was the Xterra USA Series’ 4th outing in Ogden’s Snow Basin yesterday. It was critical to me how the results would effect the USA standings going into the final. With Stoltz winning, Mike Vine second, Brian Smith third, Seth Wealing fourth, and Josiah Middaugh fifth, I’m left with the task of top 5 at Lake Tahoe on the 5th of October or better, will suffice for a guaranteed second in the series. I wouldnt want to test that small margin of grace, and will pitch in as fine a form as I can.

This entry was posted on Monday, August 18th, 2008 at 12:32 am and is filed under Andrew Birkett, Jeep Msinsi, Jeep Msinsi Multisport Series 2008, Lance Kime, Multisport, News, Race Reports, Shongweni. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.