South African multisport athlete Donovan van Gelder will not be taking part in this year’s CompliMed Midlands Ultra Triathlon on March 2.
Former South African Half iron man distance champion Donovan van Gelder has decided to postpone his retirement from elite triathlons after he pulled out of the 2014 CompliMed Midlands Ultra Triathlon happening at Midmar Dam on March 2. Photo: Supplied /
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Van Gelder contracted a stomach bug recently and believes that he will be undercooked when the South African Long Course Championships get underway at Midmar Dam.
Van Gelder has been involved in triathlons at Midmar Dam for decades and the toughest part for him was being unable to continue his love affair with the venue as he misses out on the 2014 event.
“It was actually a very tough decision for me to not be taking part in the race,” Van Gelder said.
“I have an emotional attachment to Midmar Dam and the Midlands Ultras are the biggest events that happen there!
“I have been fortunate enough to take part in triathlon, duathlon, running, cycling and swimming races there for the last 28 years and my first standard and ultra-distance races were held at the dam.
“I also regularly stay up there for training camps where I just go out on my own on the awesome training roads in the Midlands,” a disappointed Van Gelder added.
Van Gelder has had a busy schedule of late with the majority of his focus going into the recent SA Cycling Championships held in Durban which meant the former South African Half iron man distance winner, understandably, neglected the running and swimming training.
“Unfortunately, a combination of factors have contributed to me bowing out of the Midlands Ultra.” – YourSport
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