Rotational Chief Stewardess Carla Annas of a 65-meter motor yacht has faced a few hiccups on her journey to completing an Ironman race since her training began in November 2021. On Sunday, November 27, 2022, she completed an Ironman 70.3, consisting of a 1.9-kilometer swim, 90.1-kilometer bike ride, and a 21.1-kilometer run — in hopes of raising R500,000 (about €27,000) for a full primary school scholarship to the Stellenbosch Waldorf School in South Africa, where Annas attended herself.
Due to extreme winds forecasted for the day of the race, the Ironman was moved last minute to the school. Annas worked out new routes and other logistics, and in the end, the race went well, and she completed it in six hours and 50 min — enjoying every moment of it. The school base offered the opportunity for people from the school to show their support. The children had great fun making posters, drawing on the road, and cheering.
“When I turned into the school grounds for my bike to run transition, I could hear the cheering long before I could see anyone. The constant flow of supporters on the route was what got me through the race,” she says. “Coming around a corner and seeing people ahead, waiting for me, ensured that I could dig deep and motivated me to keep giving it my all.”
While she was the only person to do the whole race, she had support for each leg from friends who were in the water with her, her coach Annchen Clarke biked the full 90.1 kilometers with her, and a grade 12 student and her friend joined her for the run. So far, they have raised about €4,000 toward the goal.
“I am feeling proud, motivated, and humbled now that my race is done — proud for everything that we have achieved so far in terms of funds raised and in terms of the great race and good time I was able to achieve. I feel motivated to continue with my fundraiser as I can see the impact my belief in the Waldorf School has had on the Waldorf community, inspiring many children and parents to be more active, both physically and within their local community,” Annas says. “I am humbled by the overwhelming support I have received from friends and family, as well as many within the yachting community, with their donations and their encouragement to keep going during the race and to keep going with my fundraiser.”
She already has plans to do another race in June 2023 to continue raising funds for the Community in Action scholarship. The race location and format are still being determined, but you can still donate to the cause: quicket.co.za/fundraisers/185000-cia-community-in-action