Johannesburg – Top South African triathlete Richard Murray drew the curtain on
This was Murray’s fourth consecutive ITU podium finish, winning the sprint race consisting of a 750-metre swim, 20km bike ride, and 5km run in 55 minutes and 3 seconds. He finished ahead of Canada’s Kyle Jones and Gabor Faldum of Hungary.
Last month Murray claimed the bronze medal at the World Triathlon Series Grand Finale in Chicago to finish the season fourth in the overall World Triathlon rankings.
“The swim felt pretty good. I thought I was in a good position in the swim, until I got onto the bike and saw 50 bikes there and that is normally not a sign of a good swim,” Murray said in a statement.
“I was thinking on the run that I could finish the season off with a win if I don’t blow up. I felt pretty great throughout the race and managed to pull it together.
“I am happy with the race, I am very happy to race in Cozumel for the first time and get the win.”
He moved up one spot in the rankings from last year when he won the bronze medal at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
Murray qualified for the 2016 Olympic Games when he finished third at the Rio Test Event in Brazil at the beginning of August.
He won the 2015 New Plymouth ITU World Cup in New Zealand earlier in the year and started the WTS with a third place in Abu Dhabi before claiming victory at WTS Edmonton. He then followed that up with the bronze in Chicago.
Murray will spend a few weeks back in South Africa before he leaves to race the Island House Invitational Triathlon in the Bahamas from November 6 and 8.