The header photo features two of South Africa's triathlon pioneers. Taken in December 1990, the late Keith Anderson (right in the pink helmet) is being marked closely by Dr. Paddy Murphy.
The location is Cape Town's Baden Powell Drive, a stark and exposed stretch of road skirting the upper crest of False Bay, Keith and Paddy being at the sharp end of a Longmile-sponsored “Double Standard” triathlon held from nearby Zeekoevlei. Yes, there were endurance events held in that neck of the woods many years ago, and, yes, people actually swam some 2km in the aforementioned vlei. A tough event nonetheless, with good prize money and challenging distances, which attracted the cream of South Africa's “tri crop” for a lucrative pre-Christmas duel.
But back to the photo in question. Two stalwarts and leading lights of the triathlon scene of the 1980s and 1990s feature here, and two “larger than life” characters at that. Well-travelled, adventurous, social and innately talented would describe both of these guys. And while I've written about Keith in blogs past, it is Dr. Murphy who is the subject of this short essay.
If there is a title for Southern Africa's “original” triathlete, Paddy Murphy would be a likely candidate. A charismatic and upbeat individual, Paddy competed in the first ever swim triathlon in way back in 1983. Staged at Fish Hoek, the Peninsula Triathlon was an almost-Ironman distance event encompassing a swim in False Bay, a two-lap cycle around the Cape Peninsula and a full 42.2km over Chapman's Peak to Hout Bay Yacht Club and back. As a handy swimmer and runner, the then Maties medical student Paddy finished in second place, starting a love affair with the sport that is still going strong to the present day.
As the sport in South Africa grew, Paddy combined the demands of his medical studies (and social life) with what would now be called an elite triathlon career; there certainly was no such thing as a professional triathlete in South Africa at the time. He still managed to compete during his housemanship years, what is now known community service. National service in the old SADF? No problem for Paddy. Despite an extended foray being stationed on a large naval vessel, he ran every day on the helicopter landing pad and got on his bike as soon as they docked. A stint working and travelling abroad saw Paddy claim top honours at the World Medical Triathlon Championships, as well as duelling Scott Tinely on the bike leg of a late-eighties edition of Ironman New Zealand. Bursting back on to the local scene around the time of the header photo, Paddy was a fixture at the sharp end of the sport for a good few years all the while juggling the demands of his day (and night) job at Tygerberg Hospital's notorious trauma unit.
And he wasn't/isn't shy to give advice either. Giving a talk to the local triathlon squad at the time, his informal speech was both entertaining and, well, informative. Mark Allen knows when he has a vitamin deficiency because he's in touch with his body, he stated, in his best American accent. A blow-by-blow account of his Wednesday afternoon ride ensued (a Coke and a Bar-One), before taking a question from the audience about training and racing with 'flu ("Don't do it bud, rest is the only way). And then there was an impromptu mid-nineties lunchtime run around leafy Constantia.
By now out of the elite leagues and past his prime, Paddy was at the time on exchange secondment to the nearby 2 Military Hospital in Wynberg. With a few months of more relaxed working hours on the cards, he had resolved to get back in shape and do some races again, “but only if the wind isn't blowing, otherwise it's too kak.' Stay a student for as long as possible, he sagely advised me as we jogged through a lush greenbelt. Because it's a great life, he continued. And then a bombshell. He stopped suddenly, cursing, explaining that his car key was no longer in his running shorts pocket. I better turnaround and backtrack, he said, as we bid farewell.
These days, Paddy is living and working in neighbouring Namibia, having done so for many years now. Upping sticks and moving there over two decades ago, he's made a success in the desert country plying his trade and encouraging fellow athletes. It seems like the smaller town lifestyle suits him. Now in his sixties, he's still competing. Bumping into a fellow Namibian friend of his last year, Paddy is apparently winning races there and again qualified for an Xterra off-road triathlon World Championships. The guy knows how to compete, and is also comfortable just participating. Once a triathlete always a triathlete, I guess.
And the car key? Did he actually find it?
Well, no. In true Murphy fashion, he ran an extra 1hr40 scouring our original route, before giving up, breaking into his car and locating the spare set.
Header image courtesy of Shawn Benjamin and Ark Images
