Deon Boshoff, a teacher at St Andrew's College and pilates instructor Julie Walker took part in the International Triathlon Union (ITU) Duathlon World Championships in Nancy, France. The two represented Triathlon South Africa in the age-group world champs.
Deon Boshoff, a teacher at St Andrew's College and pilates instructor Julie Walker took part in the International Triathlon Union (ITU) Duathlon World Championships in Nancy, France. The two represented Triathlon South Africa in the age-group world champs.
Walker entered in the women's 40-44 age category and Boshoff the men's 50-54 category.
The duathlon covered the Olympic distance, which is made up of a 10km run, 40km cycle and a 5km run.
The Elite athletes took to the course last Saturday and the age-groupers raced the next day, covering the same distances.
Walker finished 30th in her race in a time of two hours, 40 minutes 53 seconds, covering the first run in 51 minutes and 52 seconds, the cycle in 1:16:48 and the final 5km in 28:25.
Walker was the first of three South Africans across the finish line in that category. She was followed in 31st place by Angela Mostert and Lizette Bester was 33rd.
In the men's 50-55 age group race, Boshoff finished 60th in a time of 2:36:05 made up of a 49:15 run, 1:13:48 cycle and a 29:31 final 5km run. On his Facebook page, Boshoff called the event “a good experience” adding that the races started at a “blistering pace, and when you expect it to simmer down into a gentle gallop… it doesn't”.
Boshoff said he had spotted former DSG pupil Kate Mapham, whom he had taught a few years ago, cheering him along the course. Mapham, who represented Great Britain, won bronze in the 25-29 age category in a time of 2:13:00.
