Sunday?s National Duathlon Championships lived up to pre-race hype in the men?s Open division with the top three finishers separated by a mere 90 seconds.

After the lead changed hands on several occasions throughout the 5k run-30k bike-5k run, it was reigning champion Evan Naude who stole the show finishing in one hour, 23.13 minutes pipping favourite Ricky Sousa who clocked 1:23.31 and top cyclist Kris Hedges who was third in 1:24.41.

Naude tried to stamp his authority on the event early, recording the fastest run split on the first leg with his twin brother Riaan and Sousa close on his heels while Hedges trailed by almost 90 seconds.

?I really pushed it on the first run and probably had 30 seconds on my brother. I knew they would be chasing strong on the bike, so I just tried to stay away,? explained Naude.

As the first three battled for places on the bike leg, Hedges used every ounce of his experience and class on the bike to reel in the leaders by the end of the second of four laps. This set the scene for an exciting final 5k run.

?I was actually quite pleased to still be reasonably close on the first run and felt good on the bike. I pushed hard and caught them on the second lap. I began to believe I maybe had a chance if I could get away on the bike,? said Hedges, recalling the Southside battle.

Naude began seeing Hedges as a threat as the former pro rider powered past him on the bike.

?Kris caught me first and Ricky was close also. Kris passed me and then so did Ricky. I tried to pick it up but Kris gradually opened a gap and I thought it was all over.?

It was Hedges who left the transition area first to start the final run but he admitted that a combination of the chasers? running strength and his lack of endurance and admittedly-slow transitions led to his demise.

?I started to feel it on the run. My limited training began to show and to be honest my transitions left something to be desired,? acknowledged Hedges.

Meanwhile, Naude?s doubts began turning to hope on the first lap of the second run.

?I thought I was running for third, then I saw them running together. I caught Kris after two laps and Ricky with half-a-lap to go,? said the winner.

Sousa was not surprised by the result noting ?it went exactly as we said it probably would?.

?Kris made it more exciting because we expected him to pass us on the bike.?

Given his lead on the final 5k run, Sousa jokingly put the outcome into perspective.

?I could see Kris was a dead duck and I was just waiting to be shot next,? he quipped.

The women?s race was not expected to be anywhere near as exciting with powerhouse Lynn Patchett, coming off an impressive performance in the Alabama Powerman Dutahlon last weekend, not expected to be challenged.

However nobody could have predicted to outcome nor the circumstances that would see top triathlete Karen Smith storm to victory in 1:35.18 ahead of Kim McMullen in 1:36.28 and her sister Deanna McMullen-Thomson in 1:36.51.

After the first 5k run, Smith and Patchett were neck and neck with Smith being the first to switch from run to bike.

?I had a really good first run. Lynn took off really fast at the start then I pulled her back and felt comfortable. I came out of the transition first but Lynn passed me on the bike and then after one of the turns I didn?t see her. I thought ?Wow, she must be flying? but then found out she had taken a wrong turn.?

Actually, Patchett told yesterday that she encountered some mechanical issues on her bike which prevented her continuing the race.

?I am disappointed especially because it was nationals but sometimes these things are beyond our control and you just have to put it behind you. It?s what makes winning so much sweeter,? said Patchett, adding that she had tested her bike before the event.

Her misfortune did not mean that Smith enjoyed a carefree path to the finish. Deanna McMullen overhauled her on the final cycling lap and Kim was lurking on Smith?s shoulder.

Eventually, Smith?s running prowess proved decisive and secured her victory.

?I had a poor transition,? admitted the women?s champion ?but once I got into the run I felt really strong and passed Kim and Deanna and managed to put some time on them.?