Shanda Hill from Vernon is currently leading the Deca South Africa, being the only female athlete in this grueling event that includes a 38-kilometre swim, an 1,800-kilometre bike ride, and a 422-kilometre run within 14 days. She has successfully completed her swim and is ahead of her competitors despite facing physical challenges. Race updates are available online.
Shanda Hill, an ultra athlete from Vernon, has made remarkable progress in the Deca South Africa event, finishing the second day and significantly leading her competitors. She is notable for being the sole female participant in this inaugural race, which incorporates a staggering 38-kilometre swim, an 1,800-kilometre bike ride, and a 422-kilometre run, all to be completed within 14 days.
As the competition stands, Shanda has outperformed all 11 male athletes, completing the swim in an impressive time of 16 hours and 24 minutes, which is 1 hour and 27 minutes faster than her closest rival. On her Facebook page, Shanda expressed her determination by stating, “I told you I could do this! I wanted to make everyone proud.”
The next challenge involves an arduous 1,800-kilometre cycling segment where the elevation of the path is daunting, totaling 12,643 metres, equivalent to climbing Mount Everest nearly 1.5 times over 254 loops. Currently, Shanda is cycling in challenging conditions, dealing with heat reaching 32 degrees Celsius, as mentioned in her social media updates.
In addition to the physical demands of the competition, Shanda is coping with a neck strain from her swim and is concerned about a potential broken toe. By 7 p.m. South Africa time, she had successfully completed the swimming portion and progressed 181 kilometres into her cycling challenge, maintaining a significant lead of 60 kilometres over her nearest competitor. Updates on the race can be accessed via their official channels.
In conclusion, Shanda Hill is demonstrating outstanding athleticism and resilience in the Deca South Africa event, leading her male competitors while facing notable physical challenges. Her achievements thus far reflect both her commitment and capability as she pioneers this challenging race as the only female athlete. Continuing updates will provide further insights into her journey towards completing this demanding competition.
Original Source: www.castanet.net
