The final leg of the Sasol Cross Triathlon was a hive of activity as 340 athletes participated in the race this past weekend at Abrahamsrust, Sasolburg. Erhard Wolfaardt powered through the course in a time of 01:25:58 claiming first place and the title for the overall winner in the men’s open standard triathlon.   

Following minutes behind was Ben Swanepoel, winner of the previous event, in a time of 01:28:58, while Brad Edwards finished in third place with a time of 01:30:50.  Carla van Huyssteen bagged first place in the women’s open standard triathlon in an impressive time of 01:33:19, shadowed by previous winner, Sylvia van Tromp in second place with a time of 01:34:20.  Riana de Lange, overall winner in the women’s category for the Sasol Cross Triathlon Event, finished in third place with a time of 01:38:59.

The Sasol Cross Triathlon events grants athletes the choice to participate individually or in teams, in either a triathlon or duathlon.  The Sprint Triathlon comprises a 500m swim, 10km mountain bike ride and a 3km run; a Standard Triathlon made up of a 1km swim, 22km mountain bike ride and a 5km run; and the Duathlon comprising a 3km run, 22km mountain bike ride followed by a 5km run. In addition, there was also a Sasol Kids Duathlon for children from the age of 5 to 15 years.

Now in its fifth year of existence, the Sasol Cross Triathlon has become a renowned event attracting athletes from across the country. “The final race saw a high level of competitiveness, where some of the athletes set their best record. Sasol is committed to supporting the development of sports in our society at all levels and this event encourages participation from the entire family,” said, Dr Ivor Zwane, General Manager: Corporate Affairs, Sasol Sasolburg.

Sasol’s contribution to the development of sports expands beyond athletics to the National Winter Swimming Championship, rally and circuit racing to sponsoring our national women’s football team, Banyana Banyana, as well as Wheelchair Basketball South Africa, amongst others.

Overall Results

Sprint Triathlon (500m swim, 10km mountain bike, 3km run)

Open Ladies

1. Nada van Dyk (01:20:13)        
2. Colleen Joubert (01:21:30)
3. Alexandra Hill (01:21:35)

Open Men

1. Polixenes Gautier (01:02:41)
2. Andrew Daniel Haas (01:06:24)
3. Warwick Winter (01:09:07)

Standard Triathlon (1km swim, 22km mountain bike, 5km run)

Open Ladies

1. Carla van Huyssteen (01:33:19)
2. Sylvia van Tromp (01:34:20)
3. Riana de Lange (01:38:59)

Open Men

1. Erhard Wolfaardt (01:25:58)    
2. Ben Swanepoel (01:28:58)
3. Brad Edwards (01:30:50)

Duathlon (3km trial run, 22km mountain bike, 5km trial run)

Open Ladies

1. Gerda van den Berg (01:59:41)
2. Odette van Niekerk (02:02:38)
3. Ronel Kruger (02:05:35)

Open Men

1. Brand Du Plessis (01:16:09)
2. Tiaan Rossouw (01:25:55)
3. Ruan Botes (01:26:28)    

Captions:

Sasol Cross Triathlon Abrahamsrust 1: Erhard Wolfaardt powered through the course in a time of 01:25:58

Sasol Cross Triathlon Abrahamsrust 2: Overall winners of the 2013 Sasol Cross Triathlon Events in the women’s open standard triathlon (from left) Dr Ivor Zwane (General Manager: Corporate Affairs, Sasol Sasolburg), Sylvia van Tromp (2nd place), Riana de Lange (1st place) and Paula Louw (3rd place)

Sasol Cross Triathlon Abrahamsrust 3: Overall winners of the 2013 Sasol Cross Triathlon Events celebrate their victory (from left) Jeffrey Grant Neethling (3rd place), Erhard Wolfaardt (1st place) and Ben Swanepoel (2nd place)

Ends

Issued by:

Alex Anderson, Group Media Manager
Direct telephone +27 (11) 441 3295; Mobile +27 (0) 71 600 9605;
alex.anderson@sasol.com

Jacqui O’Sullivan, GM: Group Communication
Direct telephone +27 (11) 441 3252; Mobile +27 (0) 82 883 9697;
jacqui.osullivan@sasol.com