Ironman - Port Elizabeth

Every April, PE is buzzing with anticipation of the annual Ironman competition. This year the event which comprises a 3.8km swim, 180km ride & then marathon run enticed 1600 athletes. One athlete who competed on Sunday was our good friend Paul Burger. We joined the majority of locals and set up mini-stations around the course to cheer Paul on. Pete even rode his bike to give extra encouragement to the tiring Paul as the race progressed into the early evening.

It is staggering to think that 1600 people wanted to put their bodies through this gruelling competition. Raynard Tissink, a professional competitor from PE, won the men's race in an incredible 8hr23min. Paul did admirably finishing in a respectable 13hr35min.

Of course Pete is now contemplating whether he should compete in one at some stage!

Heather & Erin on the pier at the start line

1600 competitors commence the gruelling ironman...

All rugged up and ready to cheer on Paul

Competitor 312 (Paul) coming out of the transition to commence the 180km ride

Mum's heading home for babies sleep time!

Paul's biggest supporter, his daughter Erin (6 months)

Harrison & Erin being budding supporters to the competitors

Here comes Paul... again.... 60km down, 120km to go!

A short break during the gruelling marathon

Comments

Breaking News- "Chandler selected to represent EP "

Pete has been selected to compete for the Eastern Cape Team at the upcoming South African triathlon championships- Go Pete!! Whilst Pete performed admirably in the pre-selection a week ago, he by no means participated to gain selection in the team. As it was, it was the first time that he had raced an olympic distance triathlon. One of his fellow Eastern Cape team mates in the 25-29 age group is James Cunnama, a professional triathlete who came 2nd in the Ironman Austria. Pete's not feeling the pressure at all to perform for the team! Tonight he came home from work and went for a long run immediately. He is still undecided whether we will make the trip to Germiston (in Gauteng) for the South African championships however is some what shocked that he has been selected for the team.

First impressions

Thought it time we touch base and let you know that we are still here!!! We have been very busy since Jen's arrival. Mainly involves trying to lease/buy cars & getting the necessary documentation, sorting out my work VISA, sorting out housing.... We are getting an Audi A3 which we should have by Friday. We can't wait to drive it! Second car to be confirmed (but hopefully purchased by early next week). I have been dropping Pete at work each day so that I can use the hire car... looking forward to sleep in's in the near future and really being a lady of leisure- enjoy it while it lasts I say! I have met with Charles Orbach (accounting firm) and am now in the process of obtaining documentation for VISA (copious amount) and then getting it processed ASAP. They are lovely people and I look forward to starting (probably another 1-3 months though due to length of time to get VISA). I seem to fill my days quite easily with daily food shopping, lunches, breakfasts, gym, organisi...

Karoo weekend- Mountain Zebra NP & Nieu Bethesda

Pete took Friday off work so our road trip of the Karoo started on Friday morning. We somehow managed to squeeze 5 people into the Audi, including pram and bassinet for Harrison! We stayed at Mountain Zebra National Park on Friday night, a reserve established as a sanctuary for the endangered mountain zebra. The reserve is positioned in a natural amphitheatre of the Bankberg Mountains. Whilst the land is quite arid and dry, the scenery and views as you drove around the reserve were incredibly picturesque. Highlights of the game viewing were the Mountain Zebra, an adult & baby Rhino, numerous ground squirrels and the black wildebeests. Harrison's first game sighting was an ostrich- he preferred to sleep for the majority of the time! On Saturday after a morning game drive, we proceeded west to the tiny isolated village of Nieu Bethesda. It is accessible only on dirt roads and is nestled in a narrow fertile valley of the Sneeuberg Range. It is a cute little village with traditiona...

Chandler's Overseas

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