Wiehahn wins his first 3 Beaches Challenge

NELSON Mandela Bay's Wesley Wiehahn led from start to finish to claim his first City Lodge 3 Beaches Challenge title in perfect conditions at the weekend.

A top Eastern Province open water swimmer, Wiehahn completed the four-leg race in a fast time of one hour, one minute.

Participants swam from Pollok Beach to Kings Beach, having to exit the water and go around designated transition areas at each of the beaches along the route before running back to Pollok Beach.

"The 3 Beaches Challenge event is an exciting concept which highlights the magnificent beachfront which we often take for granted in Port Elizabeth," race director Michael Zoetmulder of Zports said.

More than 200 participants took part in the various categories, which included individual and relay teams of two and four.

The individual category was the most competitive, with Gawie Henning coming through second, followed by PJ Duffy in third place. Antonella Saporta caused an upset when beating two-time defending champion Liza Bright by almost two minutes.

Saporta, who has had an exceptional season in the Ocean Racing Series this year, finished in a time of 1:08:00, followed by Bright, with Sanmari Woithe in third place.

In the relay teams division, the duo team category was won by Miles Rosser and Keith Buhr in a time of 58 minutes from the all-women's team of Margie Saunders and Tracy Gous. Mark and Gail Willimott were third.

In the quad team category, youngsters Dylan Smith, Ian Venter, Amy Mardon and Courtney Shaw were the fastest in a time of 1:02:00. Peter, Kirsten and Megan Marriott teamed up with Amy Keetch to finish second, while the Tucker family of Greg, Jo, Josh and Matthew were third.

Jason Kalogeropoulos won the lifesaving Ironman category, while Werner Smit won the paddlers category.