Thousands turn out to support loved ones in taxing event
The mood was jovial and upbeat as friends and family came out in their thousands to support participants of this year’s Standard Bank Ironman 70.3 South Africa.
It was to great cheers and applause that the triathletes battled for first place in the 12th year of the endurance race.
The race comprises a 1.9km swim, a 90.1km cycle and a leg-pounding 21.1km half-marathon run.
Relaxing in camp chairs, sitting along the curb or leaning along the boundary fences were hoards of spectators, many of whom held up placards bearing their loved ones’ names or wore T-shirts in their honour.
Along the East London Esplanade, vendors selling a variety of refreshments and snacks dotted the area.
Cheer leaders and music kept the crowds entertained.
Decked out in crazy, red and white top hat and tails were Candice Hunter-Smith and 14 members of her family who were there to support three participants in the race.
Their garb had been dreamt up by an ingenious relative ahead of the race.
Hunter-Smith said they had worn the outfits in order to stand out from the crowd.
“ We just wanted to be here to support our family members,” she said.
Lebo Matu, from Johannesburg, said she and her two children had flown down to support her husband.
This year was his third shot at the contest.
Having missed the cut-off of the cycle leg in his first year, and barely managing to finish last year, Matu said she hoped he would break all of his previous records this year.
“It’s exciting being here and I’m obviously a little bit anxious too,” she said.
Dressed in red and holding up placards along with her sons, Micaa and Josh, Port Elizabeth resident Leonardine Groener said they were standing by to support her husband.
She said: “The energy here is great today.
“The weather is good and we’re really enjoying ourselves.”..
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