New triathlon kicks off in December

MULTISPORT enthusiasts better get out their wetsuits, dust off their bikes and clean their running shoes as an exciting new triathlon competition is set to get underway next month with races taking place across the country.

The new X-DIRT Triathlon Challenge will start off comprising four events for the 2013/14 Road & Off Road competition, with plans to expand the annual competition to six races in 2014.

The first race will take place on Sunday, December 1 at Buffelspoort, followed by the second event at Roodeplaat Dam on December 15.

After that the action will resume in Vanderbijlpark on February 16 with the final event again at Buffelspoort on March 2.

The brainchild of X-DIRT owners, Kyle Mc Connach and Albie De Lange, the new series will offer the professional triathlete, as well as the weekend warrior and 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. Each race will thus consist of a 600m swim, 20km cycle or 16km mountain bike stage and 5km run leg.

This 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.

Participants can either enter individually or in a two-member team with both team members required to complete all three disciplines and finish within two minutes of each other to be eligible for a placing.

The prize money, 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 kiddies race has been included with children able to participate in a mini race prior to the main event, with the latter consisting of junior (16-19), open and senior divisions.

The children’s stamina will only be tested over short swim, mountain bike (no road cycle) and run distances starting at 8am, followed by the main event at 9am.

By participating in the X-DIRT National Triathlon Challenge Discovery Health members can earn up to 4 250 Discovery Vitality Points and the competition will be televised on SuperSport.

Online entries can be done by visiting www.xdirt.co.za or prior to each event line 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.

Pre-entry costs R290 (including TSA day licence fee & excluding timing chip hire) for individuals and R580 per team. Late entries will be accepted on race day from 6am at an increased fee of R310 (individuals) and R620 (teams). TSA members can participate at R240 (pre-entry) and R260 (late entry).

For further details, call Corné on 082-568-0301 or Kyle on 082-769-2663.