A few days ago we reported that Richard Murray would be competing in his first race since having to undergo heart surgery last summer this weekend. Now we can report that the comeback race was a huge success as the South African star took the win at today’s Blue Lagoon Triathlon, an event which also served as the Western Province Triathlon Championships.
Murray won the race handily in a time of 1:00:49, although there wasn’t the kind of competition he’s used to facing at World Triathlon events around the world. Murray’s wife, Rachel Klamer, took second in a time of 1:07:23.
Last May Murray announced that he was suffering from Atrial Fibrillation, and would require surgery. He made a dramatic comeback after the surgery in June to travel to Tokyo to compete at the Olympics, but would pull out of the individual race in order to focus on the relay event, only to see the South African team have to pull out of that event when Henri Schoeman had to withdraw due to injury.
“Happy to be able to do what I love again,” Murray posted on Instagram, along with some video footage from the race.
Ironman champion and 2019 Challenge Almere champion Matt Trautman took the men’s standard-distance triathlon in a time of 1:54:55, ahead of two-time Xterra world champion Bradley Weiss (1:55:27). Natia Gous took the women’s standard-distance race in 2:16:10.
You can find full results from today’s race in South Africa here.
