Port Elizabeth's double world Ironman Champion Michelle Enslin was once again in a class of her own in winning her 50 to 54 year age group category in Sunday's Standard Bank Ironman African Championship in Nelson Mandela Bay.
She crossed the finish line in 9 hours 54 minutes and 27 seconds to beat her nearest age-group challenger, Linda Prost from Johannesburg, by more than an hour.
Enslin was the 7th amateur to finish and the 17th women overall; "including girls young enough to be my child".
She says the organisers absolutely made the right call in shortening the swim due to the rough sea conditions but that she nevertheless had a good swim and a solid bike ride followed by a phenomenal run in which she ran a personal best marathon of 3h32.
Enslin paid tribute to the PE crowd and said her cheeks are still sore from all the smiling. "I'm so thankful to everyone who shouted for me along the way, I ran with an awesome bunch of guys, my body is strong and I am just so grateful."
Enslin now hopes to return to Kona, Hawaii in October and before that, Nice in France in September to defend her full and half Ironman world titles.
Fellow South African Annah Watkinson also booked her slot to Kona by finishing in a phenomenal 3rd place overall in Sunday's women's professional's race.
