De Goede wins Business Triathlon

FORTY-TWO year old Patrick de Goede won the main event of the 2011 MTN Business Off-Road Triathlon at Friedenau Dam on Sunday.

De Goede clocked two hours 12 minutes and 16 seconds ahead of 18 year old Oliver Freyer (2:17:11) – Freyer also topped his age category. The main event consisted of a 1,2km swim, a 23,5km cycle and 8,1km run. Freyer was around 30 seconds behind de Goede on the swim but he made-up valuable ground in the bike section, as the two finished the stage just seconds apart. The talented Freyer continued to put pressure on de Goede, currently Namibia’s best middle distance triathlete, but the experienced campaigner kicked-on to build up a comfortable lead on the off-road run that took the athletes through rivers and across koppie tops.It was really good to finish my season on a high note at a local event, with family and friends there,’ de Goede said afterwards.I have worked hard since May 2010 to elevate my game, and the hard work has paid off. The MTN Off-Road triathlon is as tough as anything we race abroad, and always brings out the best in all the competitors. I was really stoked that Oliver Freyer had such a strong race, he had me worried for a good while’. De Goede added ‘with a bit more experience and guidance, he will grow into a formidable triathlete.’Vera Adrian was first overall in the female main event in 2:35:52. In second place was Elke Jagau, who was also the winner of her age category (2:49:05). Charmaine Shannon was third overall and second in her age category (2:52:09).The sprint event consisted of a 600m swim, a 10km cycle, and 2.7km run, which Andy Chase won in a time of 54 minutes and 49 seconds with Hans du Toit second overall and winner of his age category (57:58). Stefan van Doorn was overall third in the male sprint and second in his age category.The u/13 sprint was won by prodigious talent Herbert Pieters, The event organisers, Otb Sport, expect Pieters to go from strength to strength not just on the local scene but on the international front as well. Pieters participated in the 2011 African Continental Mountain bike Challenge in February and came second in the u/14 category, he also managed second place in his category in the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour in March. On Sunday Pieters clocked 1:00:28 to win. He was followed by Luke Brinkmann (1:12:06) and in third position was Luke Munting (1:19:26).First overall in the female section of the sprint was Genevieve Weber with a time of 1:08:57. Second was Bertha Theron and Ezanne van den Berg was third overall and second in her age category in a time of 1:14:14.The event brimmed with over 230 entrants and around 400 spectators. MTN Business representative, Ingram van Heerden said: ‘As a sponsor we are delighted with the growth of the event and will definitely continue to support this exiting and tough event’.Once again, OTB Sport has put on a classy event and judging by the numbers in attendance, one that is going from strength to strength,’ said de Goede.

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