This is the Speed Readers’ Condenced Version of this year’s Knysna Oyster Festival TOTALSPORTS XTERRA, as presented by REHIDRAT. It happened fast, damn fast, which is why I’m doing a condensed version of the race …

Dan Hugo pulled out with an injury niggle – damn shame. Kevan Evans took his running to another level, taking it down to the wire against a seemingly indomitable Stuart Marais, right now arguably the hottest property on the multisport block. The ding-dong battle swung this way and that on the run-bike-run between these two ace athletes, with Evans dominating on the bike, and Marais on his feet. In the end, the Man with the Moustache wiped out a 3min lead off the bike to beat Evans home by just on a minute.

The same script unfolded for the women, with will-o-the-wisp Carla van Huyssteen reeling in the lead built up by Candice Neethling on the bike during the final 7km run leg. In short, it was all pretty damn awesome, and with just one event in the BIG 5 Competition to come, it seems as if Marais and Van Huyssteen will be walking away with the spoils … stay tuned for the final install ment with the Forest Marathon on Saturday!

Click here to view the pics