Shanda Hill is leading the Deca South Africa, the first ever by a female athlete. The challenge consists of a 38 km swim, 1,800 km bike ride, and 422 km run over 14 days. After two days, she has completed her swim and is 181 km into cycling, maintaining a significant lead over male competitors amidst physical challenges.

Shanda Hill, an ultra-athlete from Vernon, is currently leading the Deca South Africa event, having completed the second day. She is notably the only female participant attempting this grueling challenge, which includes a 38-kilometer swim, an 1,800-kilometer bike ride, and a 422-kilometer run, all within a 14-day period.

Hill has already made impressive progress, completing the swim leg in 16 hours and 24 minutes, outperforming her nearest male competitor by an hour and 27 minutes. In a Facebook post, she confidently declared, “I told you I could do this! I wanted to make everyone proud.”

Now facing the cycling segment, Hill must cover a daunting 1,800 kilometers, which includes an elevation gain of 12,643 meters—effectively climbing Everest nearly 1.5 times over 254 laps. Reports also indicate that she is contending with extreme heat, cycling in 32-degree conditions.

While she continues to lead by 60 kilometers, Hill has encountered challenges, including a neck strain from the swim and a suspected broken toe. At the latest update around 7 p.m. South Africa time, she has completed the swim and is 181 kilometers into her bike ride.

Shanda Hill is making remarkable strides in the Deca South Africa, leading a field of male competitors while tackling grueling distances and elevations. Her journey represents not only personal determination but also a significant achievement for female athletes in extreme endurance sports. As she continues to navigate physical challenges, her perseverance is commendable, with ongoing updates to track her progress during this formidable race.

Original Source: www.castanet.net