By Michael Owora
Published December 5, 2023
The 113 Shujaa Triathlon has seen more than 130 participants take on a calm open water swim along one of Kenya’s most beautiful beaches. Once done with the swim, the athletes took on an on-road cycle that saw them go through Mvindeni, Diani, Ramisi and Mswambweni areas of Kwale County. They closed off their challenge with a run along the famous Diani Beach Road through to Galu with a dash to the finish line on the beach.
With three amazing event categories to choose from, participants braved the elements and completed either of the following:-
- Middle Distance – Swim 1.5KM, Cycle 90KM, Run 21.5KM
- Olympic Distance – Swim 1.5KM, Cycle 40KM, Run 10.5KM
- Sprint Distance – Swim 750M, Cycle 20KM, Run 5KM
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The Sprint Distance saw 77 participants take on a 750m open water swim, 20KM flat and fast bike ride followed by a 5KM “quick run” that saw the following take top honours:-
- Women
First Position – Kristen Tam – 1hr 32min
Second Position – Vivian Hilner 1hr 33min
Third Position – Olivia Bizot – 1hr 34min - Men
First Position – Samuel Nderitu – 1hr 29min
Second Position – Hamza Bashir – 1hr 31min
Third Position – Omar Said – 1hr 36min
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When it came to the team challenge for the sprint triathlon, seven teams toed the line and the following took top honours on the day:-
- First Position – Last Man Standing – 1hr 57min
- Second Position – Tri To Keep Up – 2hr 7min
- Third Position – Base Team One – 2hrs 8min
The Olympic distance triathlon saw the athletes take on a 1.5KM Swim, 40KM Bike Ride and 10.5KM Run. The swim saw each participant complete the 750m loop twice, followed by an out and back 22.5KM ride along the Ukunda – Ramisi Road. This was capped off with a 10.5KM run along the famous Diani beach road. The following individuals took top honours on the day:-
- Men
First Position – Mohamed Suleiman – 2hrs 52min
Second Position – Sylvain Buron – 3hrs 07min
Third Position – James Waliaula – 3hrs 15min - Women
First Position – Mireille Van Dongen – 3hrs 21min
Second Position – Priscilla Lecomte – 3hrs 30min
Third Position – Isabel Nuesse – 4hrs 31min
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When it came to the team challenge for the Olympic triathlon, a total of four teams signed up and the following took top honours on the day:-
- First Position – Race Ready Trio – 3hr 54min
- Second Position – 162 Hot Toddies – 4hr 01min
- Third Position – Conquering Cheetahs – 4hrs 31min
The final wave of athletes to toe the start line were the Middle Distance cohort who took on a 1.5KM Swim, 90KM Bike Ride and 21.5KM run. Unfortunately, the women’s category did not receive any entries and in the men’s category the following individuals took top honours:-
- First Position – Arnav Kapur – 5hrs 21min
- Second Position – Aaron Masini – 5hrs 28min
- Third Position – Benoît Larielle – 6hrs 17min
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The event closed off with an amazing award ceremony at Nomads Beach Restaurant where participants, partners and supporters came together to ‘replenish lost calories’ and recount their adventures from the day.
The 113 Shujaa Triathlon, held on December 3, marks the close of Team Tri Fit (TTF)’s event calendar for 2023.
In 2024 TTF will host and partner with the following events in its quest to raise the profile and participation of individuals in triathlon in Kenya:-
Inyuat Junior Triathlon
Date – March
Terrain – Pool swim + Off Road Bike + Off Road Run
Distances – Various
Kids only aged 8yrs – 17yrs
Karen Open Triathlon
Date – March
Terrain – Pool swim + Off Road Bike + Off Road Run
Distances – 750m swim + 20KM Bike + 5.5KM Run
Chale Island Triathlon
Date – May
Terrain – Open water swim + Off Road Bike + Off Road Run
Distances – 800m swim + 30KM Bike + 7.5KM Run
Kilifi Gold Triathlon
Date – September
Terrain – Open water swim + Off Road Bike + Off Road Run
Distances – 750m swim + 20KM Bike + 5KM Run
Mugie Triathlon
Date – October
Terrain – Open water swim + Off Road Bike + Off Road Run
Distances – 750m swim + 20KM Bike + 5KM Run
113 Shujaa Triathlon
Date – December
Terrain – Open water swim + On Road Bike + On Road Run
Distances – Sprint + Olympic + Middle Distance
