‘Multi-sports is part of my life’ – Tessa Shellard
WELTEVREDEN PARK - Multi-sports enthusiast, Tessa Shellard, takes part in the 2014 Comarades Marathon.
Weltervreden Park resident, Tessa Shellard (44) took part in the 2014 Comrades Marathon and completed in 10:27:29 on 1 June.
She said multi-sports is part of her life and she is also the director of sport at Constantia Kloof Primary School.
“I’ve been the chairperson of Florida Running Club for the past three years. I strongly encourage the participation of multi-sports like road running, trail running, mountain biking, road riding, park runs, duathlons and triathlons. I’ve always participated in sport – thanks to the encouragement and support from both my parents at a very young age,” said Shellard.
She added that sport has taught her a lot in life and has contributed positively to all aspects of her life, particularly her career.
Although Shellard said she has never been a top-class athlete, she has always worked very hard to achieve. “I always give my very best and persevere until the end.”
Shellard is one of Florida Running Club’s athletes who participated in the Comrades Marathon held in Pietermaritzburg.
“After proudly crossing the finish line of this gruelling race for the first time in 2007, I vowed I would never return. It took me two years to build up the courage. In 2010, I was back to take revenge and have now completed six Comrades Marathons,” she said.
She also took part in the Ironman Triathlon.
“I have competed in a number of other triathlons and duathlons and earned Gauteng Colours in my age category for both disciplines.”
In 2013, Shellard was selected to represent South Africa in France as an age grouper for long distance triathlons for the World Championships held in June. ”Unfortunately due to finances, I was unable to participate,” she said.
Shellard said training for the full Ironman is life-consuming.
“Many sacrifices have to be made – especially with a full-time job, where working hours are not flexible. You have to grab hold of any little bit of available time. My day would start at 4.30am with a 10km run, followed by a full day’s work and then a swimming session in the late afternoon or early evening, and sometimes finish in the moonlight.”
With winter here, the duathlon season kicks off and Shellard said she is looking forward to competing in the Momentum Series again and is considering doing the Golden Reef 100 Miler (160km) run at the end of August.
