The 4th Spec-Savers Ironman 70.3 South Africa has kicked off! 1st wave PROs in the water.
Largest ever field of 1995 individual starters now underway! 2nd wave - Age Groupers now out in the water.
First out of the water - Balazs Csoke, Frederik van Lierde, Brad Storm, Richie Cunningham followed be Jodie Swallow - first woman out of the water.
Marie Rabi 2nd woman out of the water followed by Lucie Zelenkova.
Frederik van Lierde in the lead on the bike followed by Brad Storm. Balazs Csoke, Richie Cunningham, Alessandro Degasperi, Bert Jammaer. Behind them is lead woman, Jodie Swallow followed by James Cunnama and Mari Rabie.
Bike update - Frederik van Lierde 2 minutes ahead of Richie Cunningham followed by Balazs Csoke, Alessandro Degasperi, Brad Storm and James Cunnama.
After the 30km mark - Frederik van Lierde, James Cunnama, Balazs Csoke, Richie Cunningham, Alessandro Degasperi, Brad Storm. In the lead for the women, Jodie Swallow, Mari Rabie, Lucie Zelenkova, Tine Deckers and Sonja Tajsich.
Conditions are getting tough out there. Cold, wind speed starting to pick up and rain is beginning come down.
After 40km Frederik van Lierde is 6 minutes ahead of James Cunnama, Balazs Csoke and Brad Storm. Jodie Swallow still out in front for the women.
At the halfway mark 45km Frederik van Lierde still holds the lead 6 minutes ahead of James Cunnama. Brad Storm has moved into 3rd ahead of Balazs Csoke. Jodie Swallow is a minute and a half ahead of Tine Deckers with Mari Rabie currently in 3rd.
Frederik van Lierde will be the first man in off the bike nearly 8 minutes ahead of James Cunnama, Brad Storm, Alessandro Degasperi. Jodie Swallow still out in front of the other women with Tine Deckers, Mari Rabie and Lucie Zelenkova trailing.
Frederik van Lierde is the 1st male off the bike into T2!
James Cunnama in off the bike in 2nd place nealry 7 minutes behind van Lierde.
Top 5 males into T2 - Frederik van Lierde, James Cunnama, Richie Cunningham, Alessandro Degasperi, Balazs Csoke.
Jodie Swallow first woman off the bike.
Tine Deckers coming in off the bike after a strong bike performance.
Jodie Swallow has passed the turn around 6km mark on the run with Tine Deckers, Lucie Zelenkova and Mari Rabie still approaching the turn around point.
Frederik van Lierde still leading on the run approaching the 16km with James Cunnama cutting his lead to only 2 minutes.
Jodie Swallow still in the lead for the ladies. Tine Deckers, Mari Rabie and Lucie Zelenkova is behind her in that order. They have all passed the turn around point for the run at 11,6km.
Frederik van Lierde and James Cunnema just passed the 19.5 km point and will soon finish the race
Frederik van Lierde is the winner of the Spec- savers Ironman 70.3 South africa, with James Cunnema comming in second place, 2 minutes behind Frederik.
Alessandro Degasperi just finished in third place.
Jodie Swallow passed the 19,5 km point with Tine Decker on her heels.
Jodie Swallow first lady to complete the Spec-Savers Ironman South africa 70.3.
Tina Deckers claims second place 00:03:06 behind Jodie Swallow.
Marie Rabie finishes third...First South African female to finish.
Tough conditions producing two worthy winners and an exciting race! Frederik van Lierde and Jodie Swallow both winning the Spec-Savers Ironman 70.3 South Africa for the first time.
First development athlete finishes.
