INTERVIEW: Richard Murray

Recently I caught up with Elite triathlon athlete Richard Murray and asked him a few questions. He is one of South Africa's bright hopes for the Olympics in 2012 and those that follow. Currently he is in Turkey trying to pick up more ITU points in order to qualify for the Olympics... At just 22, he has taken the duathlon world by storm as a 2 time World Junior Champion and is hoping to emulate similar success in triathlon...

Name: Richard Murray
Age: 22 Years Old
Occupation: Triathlete
Studying (if anything): None , coaching soon!

TB (Tri Bren): Best achievements in Triathlon/Duathlon? (list 5) 

RM:

- 1st  U19 World Duathlon Championships Gyor 2007
- 1st U19 World Duathlon Championships  Rimini 2008
- 1st U23 SA/All African triathlon Champion 2010
- 4th Braschaat ITU European premium Cup 2010
- 8th U23 world Triathlon Championships Budapest2010

TB: Strongest Discipline?
RM: Running

TB: Heroes?
RM: Havier Gomez,Tim Don

TB: How many days do you train a week?

RM: 7days a week 16-22Hours

TB: Favourite race and why?
RM: Any Race in P.E , as this is where I beat the Formidable Erhard Wolfhaardt!

TB: What makes a good triathlete?

RM: Also called a Wet runner, in ITU Open water swimmer + 5000m Track athlete = Olympic Medalist! If you can swim you will feature, but if you can't run fast, you'll never win.

TB: Advice for anyone starting the sport of Triathlon?

RM: Best Sport there is, be clean , keep focused and enjoy every session! Stay modest, NOBODY likes a windgat! (wise-ass)

TB: One piece of triathlon equipment you cant live without? (besides your bike!)

RM: My Garmin forerunner 310XT! Without info, training is blind ,I think!

TB: Where will you be in one months time?

RM: Probably in Pretoria  training at the HPC, under Coach Lindsey Parry

TB: Best area for a training ride?

RM: Stellenbosh/Chapman's Peak ... Western Cape....FULL STOP

TB: Best Swim set?
RM: None... or 30x100 on 1:30

TB: Where would we see Richard Murray going for a jog?

RM: Durban Road, Tygervalley Road Northern Suburbs.

TB: Your future goals?
RM:
- Beat Erhard Wolfhard in an Olympic distance Race.
- Become #1 Triathlete in RSA.
- Get top 20 in World.-
- Represent RSA in Olympics 2012-Medal in 2016 and Win Gold in 2020.

My Sponsors:
Primary- BSG (business systems Group)
Biodiesel Centre ( Renewable energy sources)
Mom & Dad
TSA (Triathlon South Africa)

Product Sponsors :  PUMA , Rudy Project , Garmin , Axus.de  bicycles, Peptopro + I-Flex

To follow Richard's progress, you can follow him on these two site's...

Websites:
www.richardmurray.wordpress.com
www.richardmurray.co.za