Top SA triathletes cross series finishing line first

TWO of South Africa's top triathletes, Nathan le Roux and Clinton Gravett, claimed the top two spots in the first round of the About IT Triathlon Summer Series held in ideal and hot conditions on Tuesday in Port Elizabeth.

Both athletes are from East London and it was series champion and SA's top U18 triathlete Le Roux, who took the honours, five seconds ahead of Gravett.

The popular three-race sprint distance triathlon series, which takes place in Port Elizabeth and St Francis Bay attracted more than 100 triathletes to the PE to Schoenies stage.

This saw participants complete a 750m swim at Pollok Beach, a 20km cycle to Schoenmakerskop and a tough 5km trail run along the Sacramento Trail.

Le Roux, 17, was a silver medalist at this year's Africa Youth Games and won in a fast time of one hour, six minutes. PE's 17-year-old Keegan Cooke excelled to finish third in 1:11.

The city's top local female triathlete, Liza Kingston, remains unbeaten in the series as she kicked off her defence of the crown with a fantastic win in a star-studded field of more than 40 women.

She has not lost a series race in over four years and finished just more than three minutes ahead of German triathlete Katharina Lieb.

PE's Alexia Loizou was third, followed by former PE triathlete Jade Hooke. A professional showjumper based in the UK, Hooke is visiting her family over the December holidays.

The second round of the About IT Triathlon Summer Series takes place on Sunday at 8am at Pollok Beach, with registration opening at 6.45am.

A children's development triathlon will be held at 6pm on Saturday (registration opens 5pm) for children between eight and 15.