Nearly 1500 ladies, dressed in pink T-shirts, lined up near Hobie Beach on the afternoon of Friday 12 April to participate in this year’s IRON GIRL South Africa.
The perfect, sunny weather conditions in Nelson Mandela Bay complimented the electric vibe of a supportive crowd and buzzing music. Family and friends came out in masses to support the IRON GIRL participants. Official IRONMAN announcer, Paul Kaye, encouraged the ladies with his positive words and said: “I want you beautiful ladies dancing across the finish line”. Kaye kept everyone cheerful and supportive during the race.
Amongst the enthusiastic ladies, were British mother-daughter team, Barbara and Ruth Stockley. They are on South African soil to support Sue Stockley, who will be participating in this year’s Spec-Savers IRONMAN South Africa 2013. The pair said: “We don’t have expectations for the event. Sue entered us and we are here for the fun”.
Chantelle Gerber, who participated in the 35-39 category, has completed two full Spec-Savers IRONMAN South Africa races and two Spec-Savers IRONMAN 70.3 events. Gerber said: “I am doing the race to finish it. I am here to enjoy it and support my friends who are doing it for the first time”.
Individuals and mother-daughter teams ran and walked the new 8.5km spectator-friendly route along Marine Drive.
This year’s 20-24 age group winner, Natalie Ross, restored her title as IRON GIRL champion with a time of 00:32:42. The 22 year-old Grahamstown-based athlete improved her time by an impressive eight minutes. As a result Ross said: “I had a great race. This equates to my best time for the distance”. Ross is looking forward to the South African Duathlon Championships and the Knsyna marathon.
In second place overall with a time of 00:33:16 was Lindy-Lee Folscher, who participated in the 30-34 age group. Lindy and Lisa Grantham were also the winning mother-daughter team, “Speedfreaks”, who came in with a time of 1:23:58.
Toni Snoxelle, who participated in the 25-29 age group, placed third with a time of 00:33:47.
With the crowd enthusiastically applauding the ladies as they entered the start of the red carpet, they cheered them on during the last few metres of the stretch. It was a memorable event which has excitedly kicked off the 2013 Spec-Savers IRONMAN South Africa weekend.
