South African triathletes interrupt race to rescue men at sea

Two athletes and a referee participating in a South African triathlon dived into the ocean to rescue two stricken men who were being swept out to sea.

East London, South Africa. Image by South African Tourism / CC BY 2.0

After pushing and tugging the men to shore, the athletes finished the gruelling race a little later than they had planned. Athletes Martin Potgieter and Dylan Hartwig said they were running the last miles of the contest when they stopped to help the men, who were struggling to stay afloat off the East London coast. Delayed by 15 to 20 minutes, the athletes put their running shoes back on and finished – Potgieter in six hours and 50 minutes and Hartwig in seven hours and 15 minutes. South Africa’s Ironman 70.3 race includes swimming, cycling and running.

(Press Association)