Race Report: Midmar Multisport Festival
November 26th, 2007 by Dan Hugo
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As an afterthought to the past month of racing, the Midmar Multisport Festival wasnt a focus, nor a big expectation. The focus didnt really change, but the race surprised me, and ended being a far bigger occasion than I’d imagined. Made happen by the Wildlands Conservation Trust and Bonitas Medical Fund, the race had a large field, strong media backing, and some ‘make you smile’ prize money as reward.
Much of the race was a trip down memory lane, some ten years, to my first national triathlon win here at Midmar Dam outside an hour from Durban. The 11-13year old age group I was racing in did 400m swim, 10km road bike, and 2.5km run thereafter. I was far more serious back then than I am now… Oh well, big day that was. As we kept criss-crossing the road we biked that day, and ran on the same pavement, and swam in-between the same yachts, it seemed like yesterday. On top of this, the guy I watched win the open race the following day, Glen Gore, was beside me on the start line.
The usual suspect, Iain Don-Wochoupe has been battling some flu, and exchange baby sitting duties with his girl to allow her to race. With his class not racing, I figured I may have an easier day out. But two distance triathletes sponsored by the Wildlands Trust, Glen Gore and Carl Storm, brought momentary hesitation. The bike route sounded less technical and I feared a match up on fragile legs.
Terrence Parkin, Olympic silver medalist in the 200m breast stroke, does most the races I’m at, and as would be expected, lead out the 1km swim in a nippy Midmar. I was on Gore’s feet, and Storm on mine. Lost them a little from the yachts on in, but after the slipway where the famous Midmar Mile finishes, I lead out on the bike.
Two laps of 16km on a twisty course of tarmac, cut grasslands, farm roads and the occasional single track. I felt great, better than last weekend actually. There wasnt much climbing, and I managed to keep a good gear ticking over. After lap one, I’d built a 6minute lead and could start easing back a little.
I weaved through many of the slower crowd on the bike, as well as those doing the paddle-bike-run option. Many were battling to ride the bumpy grass sections, and most of them could have benefited greatly from riding a Specialized Stump-jumper for example, something with a bit more give to smooth their ride.
Running felt smooth, and I’m most excited bout my running form progress. Gary has upped my volume a little, and in particular my few running off the bike sessions seems to have helped condition successfully. I was real comfortable and enjoyed the jog round the complex.
I believe this is one of the final races in the Wild series, and I commend them for the relationship they’ve built between outdoor enthusiasts and conservation. They’re taking athletes to some of the more beautifully secluded venues and encouraging an awareness for them. I ran past a stack of youngsters, early teens, loving their racing. Many of them race in School colours and its such a healthy scene in Natal, having school support for multisport.
It seemed the road guys belong on the road, and neither Gore nor Storm were in contention. Terrance was ecstatic about his second, and a good mate of mine, JP van der Linde rounded the top three. The girls were tight and exchanged the lead numerous times. Carla Germishuis had to push hard to keep Su, Iain’s girl, from an impressive win four months after birth. Should be good racing on the girls side three months on at Xterra Shongweni.
From here I’ll keep some volume build for the Jailbreak triathlon on the 16th December. Its a 2km swim, 100km time trial, and a 25km run at the end. Its on my doorstep and it be fine form to go well there.
This week I’m attending two Puma functions I’m proper excited for. One is the launch of their new Puma Concept Store in the V&A Waterfront, and the other a cocktail party for their involvement in a new Sportsmans Warehouse in Canal Walk.
| Video Clip: Xterra South Africa Party | Video Clip: Wildlands Bonita Midmar Multisport Festival |
