Thursday, 25 August 2011 07:11
Joburg City Triathlon on course
The Joburg City Triathlon is set for even greater heights in the coming season. Now into its sixth year, the race is under new management, and will once again revert to a three race series. Each event is set to fuel your addiction, with races on the 25th of September, 5th of February (which will also form Central Gauteng Champs), and the 1st of April.
Under the new management of Mayhem Sports, and the stewardship of experienced Tri/Duathlete, Gavin Grobbelaar, as its race director, the series promises to maintain its status as the biggest Olympic Distance non-draft Triathlon in Africa, through its new sponsorship partners and exciting developments.
The Series is fully endorsed by Central Gauteng Triathlon (CGT), who will also be providing referees on race days.
CGT Chairperson, Derick Marcisz, spoke of the importance of the series, “CGT looks forward to a continually expanding and dynamic series that begun 6 years ago. The second event on 5 February 2012 is our Provincial Champs, and in recent years has been the biggest single standard distance event in the country. The course lends itself to fast times from the elite athlete, to those wanting to just finish the course."
With CGT’s help slight changes to the course have also made the races safer and more spectator friendly, and most importantly the moving of the swim leg, promises a better quality of the water, as explained by race director, Gavin Grobbelaar, “having changed the swim leg and general hosting of the event to the opposite side of the Lake to the Germiston Aquatics Club (GAC) the water is now suitable for swimming after tests. The better through-flow of current and higher point of drainage on that side means that the water is now cleaner for swimming. The fact that the fountain is now also working again means that the water is better oxygenated.
Grobbelaar added, "with the help of Ekurhuleni Metro Police we will have full road closure on both the bike and run course. Central Gauteng Triathlon have also made it possible through high international technical and safety standards to be an event of the highest calibre for all athletes to enjoy."
Money and prizes will be up for grabs, at each leg, and for the overall series champions, with a total series prize purse of R73 000. Prizes will also be on offer for age groupers. Pre-entries at www.joburgcitytriathlon.com will also qualify for an awesome race pack, which for race one will include; a technical running vest, free haircut from crew men's grooming, 32Gi product, CompresSport discount vouchers, Suunto discount vouchers, Cebe discount vouchers, Primi meal discount vouchers, and a Triathlon Plus issue.
On the day there will also be giveaways by our partners 2XU, CompresSport, Suunto, Cebe, Triathlon Plus, and for athletes entered into all 3 events a draw for a Blue Competition Cycles TT bike worth R25 000.
Leading South African Triathlete, Erhard Wolfaardt is eagerly awaiting the first race, “the Joburg City Triathlon Series is most certainly one of SA's premier events. Being non-drafting it brings out the most of the pure triathlete, something that I like. Organisation, race-course, prize money and atmosphere are all superb. I love racing it, and had lots of success there in recent years. Definitely one of the main events on my calendar"
The race results featuring South Africa’s best Triathletes will be able to be followed in the media, and in a highlights show to be aired on SuperSport around 3 weeks after each leg.
One of South Africa’s foremost female Triathletes, Carlyn Fischer, like Wolfaart is relishing the challenge, “the Joburg City Triathlon series is an exciting, competitive standard distance series. The flat course ensures fast-paced racing, and the non-draft format sets it apart from other series."
Fischer has only just returned from representing South Africa, at the ITU World Championship Series Triathlon Sprint World Champs which was held in Lausanne, Switzerland and a solid performace saw her improve on her World Ranking. “This past weekend I lined up next to the top elite ladies on the WCS, for a sprint which led us up a tough bike climb and speedy flat run. I moved up 5 positions on my ranking, and gained some racing experience. RSA also finished 16th in our team relay."
The series could not take place without the support of its sponsors and partners. Primi Piatti will cater for your food requirements on the day, before and after the race. We have also partnered with CompresSport as the official compression partner. Our official magazine partner, Triathlon Plus, will prove to be your reliable source of information. Troi Sport is the official shop and available for all your technical requirements. 32Gi is the official nutrition supplier that will ‘Keep’ you ‘Going’. All eyewear requirements will be covered by Cebe, while Suunto are on hand for all your timing and monitoring needs. Fear of the swim leg is a thing of the past, with 2XU getting you through the swim.
Helivac will be supplying the all important EMS services and will supply the race with their experienced marshals to ensure safety of athletes.
The new Triathlon specific bike brand that has been ridden by athletes placing 2nd in 2010 and 7th in 2009 in Kona called Blue Competition Cycles is the official bike brand. Kinetics.co.za will also be supplying their experienced team of Biokineticists on the day to promote injury prevention and longevity of your season through their in-depth advice.
For more information, or to enter, go to www.joburgcitytriathlon.com or follow us on Twitter, @JoburgCityTri, or FaceBook, Joburg City Triathlon, or please don’t hesitate to contact our Media Manager, David Katz, at joburgcitytri@gmail.com
As they say, one sport really isn’t enough! Especially in South Africa, where we continually attract some of the world’s best athletes, none more so than Lucie Reed (formerly Zelenkova). The Czech triathlete is a great ambassador of the sport, “Triathlon is one of the fastest growing sports not only in South Africa but worldwide and it is great news to have Joburg City Tri Series back to three races this year. This will give opportunities to athletes to race more and for some others to start with this exciting sport. For me personally it is one of my favourite races, I won the Series overall two years ago and will make sure that I will be on the start line here. First race in September has perfect timing for me, just two weeks before IM World Championship in Kona and it will be my last test of fitness before. Thank you to everyone involved in making the series happen and I hope to see most of you there!"
Add comment
