Midlands ultra triathlon

The Shot: Tayla Glover emerges from the sprint swim in second place, but soon takes the lead in the woman’s race during the cycle. She goes on to win the woman’s sprint race.

The Spec: Nikon D600, Nikon 70-200mm f2.8, shot at ISO 400, 200mm f3.5 1/1600s.

More details: www.anthonygrote.com

Triathlon

Story and Photos: Anthony Grote

The Shot: As the sun emerged from behind the clouds, Midmar dam was revealed in all its glory, ready to showcase the Midlands Ultra Triathlon series for 2014.

The Spec: Nikon D800, Nikon 24-70mm f2.8, shot at ISO 400, 27mm f4 1/1250s.

More details: www.anthonygrote.com

Photo: Anthony Grote

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The Shot: All gear in the transition zone is meticulously arranged as competitors ready themselves for the race ahead. The transitions between swim, cycle and run needs to be a seamless exercise.

The Spec: Nikon D800, Nikon 24-70mm f2.8, shot at ISO 1250, 24mm f4 1/800s More details: www.anthonygrote.com

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A “must do” triathlon series

in the heart of KZN’s beautiful Midlands area, this is often referred to as “Africa’s fastest ½ Ironman distance race”. Now in its sixth year, the race has only grown in stature and popularity due to its iconic venue at Midmar dam

Photo: Anthony Grote

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The Shot: Swimmers set off on the first leg of the triathlon, the swim. For the sprint race, the athlete’s had to swim 600m while the main event, the Ultra, the athletes had to swim 1.9km.

The Spec: Nikon D600, Nikon 70-200mm f2.8, shot at ISO 400, 200mm f3.5 1/1600s.

More details: www.anthonygrote.com

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Photo: Anthony Grote

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“Stuart was unbelievable today, he really was impossible to beat although I tried my hardest,” De Bruin said. “He is in such phenomenal form at the moment I sort of knew it was going to be a race for second place and I was chuffed with my race today.”

The Shot: Gerhard de Bruin put in a strong challenge for the title, especially on the cycle.

Despite this, he was unable to close the gap on a strong Stuart Marais who was able to take the win after a extremely strong run.

The Specs: Nikon D800, Nikon 24-70mm f2.8, shot at ISO 320, 24mm f4.5 1/1250s, shot just before the first turn around point on the cycle.

More details: www.anthonygrote.com

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The Shot: Glen Gore stands up on the peddles as he powers up the hill from the first turning point on the cycle. The new cycle route got a resounding double thumbs up from the competitors.

The Specs: Nikon D800, Nikon 24-70mm f2.8, shot at ISO 320, 24mm f4.5 1/1600s, shot just before the first turn around point on the cycle.

More details: www.anthonygrote.com

Photo: Anthony Grote

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Photo: Anthony Grote

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The Shot: The scenic Natal Midlands provides for the perfect backdrop for a race of this kind. Summer months green meandering hills and colourful flowers line the new cycle route providing for a pleasant environment for a cycle route.

The Specs: Nikon D600, Nikon 70-200mm f2.8, shot at ISO 400, 200mm f3.5 1/2500s.

More details: www.anthonygrote.com

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Photo: Anthony Grote

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The Shot: Using a little slow shutter to produce some movement in the photo. This to compliment the speed at which these athletes cycle around the course, despite having already swum 1.9km, and cycled a affair distance to get to this point.

The Specs: Nikon D800, Nikon 24-70mm f2.8, shot at ISO200, f14, 1/100s.

More details: www.anthonygrote.com

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The Shot: The iconic shot of the Midmar Dam wall as cyclists do their 3 laps, passing below the dam wall to the second turn point, and head back to the transition zone to begin the run.

The Shot: Nikon D600, Nikon 70-200mm f2.8, shot at ISO200, f3.2, 1/2000s.

More details: www.anthonygrote.com

Photo: Anthony Grote

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The Shot: After a 1.9km swim, 90km cycle, the triathletes now head onto the run section of the race. The circuit hugged the edge of the dam, with 3 laps of 7km. Temperatures had soured to unbearable levels by this stage, with a number of participants pulling out at this stage.

The Specs: Nikon D600, Nikon 70-200mm f2.8, shot at ISO 200, 200mm f2.8 1/2500s.

More details: www.anthonygrote.com

Photo: Anthony Grote

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Photo: Anthony Grote

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The Shot: Simon Butler shows strength and endurance during the run, as the temperatures sourced to uncomfortable levels. He managed 14th place overall.

The Specs: Nikon D800, Nikon 24-70mm f2.8, shot at ISO 1250, 24mm f3.5 1/2500s.

More details: www.anthonygrote.com

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The Shot: Stuart Marais crosses the finish line with a resounding win over second place, and defending champion, Gerhard de Bruin. With an eventual finish time of 04:07:01, he was a good 15min ahead of second place at the end of the race.

The Specs: Nikon D800, Nikon 24-70mm f2.8, shot at ISO 200, 40mm f4 1/1250s.

More details: www.anthonygrote.com

Photo: Anthony Grote

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“I made my move on the bike and Gerhard (De

Bruin) came with me for a bit but then he fell off and

the gap grew as we got

onto the run I knew that I

further into the race. It was could buffer and chill out a gruelling bike course

a bit and just tick off the

and I still never felt com-

laps,� a satisfied Marais

fortable but when I got

added.

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Photo: Anthony Grote

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“I knew that the race was never going to be easy!” said Jeren after finishing in third place.

The Shot: Jeren Seegers enters the finish shute to take the last step on the podium, after a great race.

The Spec: Nikon D600, Nikon 70-200mm f2.8, shot at ISO 320, 200mm f5 1/2000s.

More details: www.anthonygrote.com

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