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<\/a><\/p>\nStuart Marais – Fores Marathon.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe extremely narrow margin between the top two contenders in both categories shows how exciting this challenge has been,\u201d said Marescia. \u201cAlthough Marais took the lead early with the 80 km MTB, he had to fight really hard to regain his position when Theo beat him in the lagoon swim. But he managed to pull ahead and stay in first position with solid wins in the trail run, the Xterra and today in the 21 km.\u201d<\/p>\n Marais was fifth overall and first BIG5 contender home in the 21 km with a time of 1 hour 13 minutes 33 seconds, beating Blignaut\u2019s time of 1 hour 17 minutes 21 seconds. Third BIG5 participant over the line was Deon Hopf with a time of 1 hour 22 minutes 13 seconds.<\/p>\n In the ladies BIG5, the one point difference in the final scores is indicative of the massive struggle that took place between Steyn and Van Huyssteen. \u201cCarla started off strong in Saturday\u2019s MTB race and extended her lead over Andrea in the lagoon swim,\u201d says Marescia, \u201cbut Andrea showed her running strength, winning the trail run, then the Xterra and finally the 21 km.\u201d<\/p>\n Steyn clocked 1 hour 23 minutes 44 seconds in today\u2019s half marathon and was 2nd lady home overall. Van Huyssteen completed the race in 1 hour 30 minutes 15 seconds. Third BIG5 contender home was Lauren Cannon in 1 hour 30 minutes 33 seconds.<\/p>\n Marais said that he was delighted to wrap up the BIG5. \u201cI had a great forest half marathon. Travys (Wilkins) and I ran really well together. It was lovely and cool at the start in the forest and warmed up nicely with beautiful cloud cover. It was really perfect running conditions. I had a solid run and felt good and strong.\u201d<\/p>\n Steyn said that she struggled on the downhills because her legs were sore from earlier events this week. \u201cOverall it was a good struggle between me and Carla. Hopefully more people will compete next year.\u201d<\/p>\n Van Huyssteen said that the half marathon is always very daunting. \u201cIt\u2019s amazing going through the forest but there\u2019s a lot of descending especially past Simola and it hurts! Andrea is a superb athlete. Any day you go into a race with her you know you are going to work harder and she\u2019s been running really well so if I run even close to her I\u2019m really happy. Coming second in BIG5 to Andrea is amazing. Next year I\u2019ll be back and ready to fight again.\u201d<\/p>\n Men\u2019s BIG5 runner up Theo Blignaut, said that today was his first ever Knysna half marathon. \u201cI had no idea how to pace myself and think I could have started a bit quicker. But second in BIG5 is awesome. It\u2019s a stunning event and I really had a lot of fun this week and I\u2019m sure I\u2019ll be back next year. There\u2019s so much potential for this event to grow.\u201d<\/p>\n Andrea Steyn – Xterra.<\/span><\/p>\n Marais said that the event was fantastic this year. \u201cThere was a great camaraderie between all the BIG5 athletes who were able to get together after each event in the chill zone. I look forward to the event growing over the next couple of years. I\u2019ll be back because I love the vibe around it and I\u2019m hoping to bring my family next year.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis year\u2019s BIG5 has been an awesome event,\u201d agreed Marescia. \u201cWe had some outstanding athletes competing and we are hoping that it will grow and become a must-do event on every multi-sports athlete\u2019s calendar.\u201d<\/p>\n The multi-sport challenge is a highlight on the annual Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival programme, which kicked off on Friday 3 July and ends tomorrow. The five events are the Momentum Weekend Argus Knysna Cycle Tour presented by Rotary 80 km MTB, the Knysna Dragons Lagoon Mile, the 14 km The Salomon Featherbed Trail Run presented by GU, the Totalsports XTERRA presented by REHIDRAT\u00ae SPORT and the Momentum Cape Times Knysna Forest Marathon Half Marathon.<\/p>\n For more information on the BIG5 Sport Challenge:<\/p>\n Website: www.big5sportchallenge.com <\/a><\/p>\n Facebook: https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Big5SportChallenge<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n