Calling all Germiston multi-sport enthusiasts to get out their wetsuits, dust off their bikes and clean their running shoes, as an exciting and unique new triathlon competition is set to get underway in early December.
The new X-Dirt Triathlon Challenge, as it will be known, will start off comprising four events for the 2013/14 road and off-road competition, with plans to expand the annual competition to six races, taking place across the country.
The first race will take place on December 1, at Buffelspoort, in the North West Province, followed by the second event at Roodeplaat Dam, just outside Pretoria, on December 15.
During the festive season, triathletes will have the opportunity to take a break and then the action resumes in Vanderbijlpark on February 16, with the final event to be held, at Buffelspoort, on March 2.
The brainchild of X-Dirt owners, Kyle Mc Connach and Albie de Lange, who together have over 25 years experience in sports, the competition will offer the professional triathlete, the weekend warrior, as well as the first-time multi-sport enthusiast a challenge, but one that is achievable.
A unique aspect to the series is that competitors can choose to do their cycle discipline either on the road or off-road.
“Sport is changing and more and more athletes are turning to mountain biking, so to stay abreast of the times and keep triathlon growing we decided to give participants in the X-Dirt series an option for their cycle leg,” said Mc Connach.
Each race will, thus, consist of a 600m swim, 20km cycle or 16km mountain bike stage, and a 5km run, which is manageable, even for most beginners.
Obviously this unique feature means there will be a split transition area and the timing will be different, with the off-road cycle routes being more challenging, even though shorter.
Another interesting facet of the competition is that participants can either enter individually or in a two-member team with both team members being required to complete all three disciplines and finish within two minutes of each other to be entitled to a placing.
For the professionals, who are going after the prize money in the competition, a total of nearly R100 000 will be up for grabs over the four events, with prize money presented for each race.
To make sure the X-Dirt Challenge is a family event, a children’s race has also been included in the calendar, with children being able to participate in a mini-race prior to the main event, with the latter consisting of junior (16-19), open and senior divisions.
For safety and to keep it fun, the children’s stamina will only be tested over a short swim, mountain bike (no road cycle) and run distances.
These mini-races will commence at 8am on race days, followed by the main event, which kicks off at 9am.
Online entries are open and can be done by visiting www.xdirt.co.za. Prior to each event, entries will be open from 6am on race day.
Pre-race registration will be held at local Oasis Stores (locations can be found on the above website) until 5pm on the Friday prior to each race day.
Late entries will be accepted on race day, from 6am, at an increased fee.
To get down and dirty and be a part of this exciting new series get training and enter today.
For further details, visit www.xdirt.co.za, call Mc Connach on 082 769 2663, or send an email to info@xdirt.co.za.
