First ever ITU World Series in Africa

The latest international event to take Cape Town by storm is the first ever ITU (International Triathlon Union) World Triathlon Series on the African continent that will take place 26-27 April 2014. The ITU World Series events are Olympic qualifying events and are broadcast across the world to around 160 countries.

“We are proud to see Cape Town, South Africa - indeed Africa - added to the World Series calendar,” said Dr Debbie Alexander, president of Triathlon South Africa. “This event will contribute to the continued growth of Triathlon in not only South Africa, but Africa.”

The ITU will celebrate its 25th birthday next year by adding a fifth continent to the series. The Cape Town leg is the second in the eight-city tour, which starts in Auckland (5-6 April). Organisers at the launch today were adamant that there will only ever be a maximum of nine cities in the world series, which makes Cape Town's inclusion even more exciting.

“The World Triathlon Series is an exciting multi-city global series, during which athletes earn points throughout the season for a chance to be crowned the ITU Triathlon World Champion at the Grand Final,” said Christian Toetske, CEO Lagardère Unlimited Events AG.

Organisers were also quick to point out that the event is not only for elite athletes. The Weekend Warrior is more than welcome – and encouraged to enter. The event will consist of Olympic distance and sprint courses – and participants can either enter as individuals or in teams of three people. The team event is perfect for families or corporate teams, for example, who wish to take part. “My boy and I will be having a swim-off to determine who gets that leg,” joked Iain Banner.

“South Africans are passionate about sport, and will be very excited to have another world-class, premium sporting event to add to their active lifestyles,” said Bruce Parker-Forsyth, CEO of the local delivery partner, Worldsport.

The spectator-friendly route will start and end at the V&A Waterfront and include scenic areas of Cape Town such as Camps Bay.

The weekend event will also feature a lifestyle expo.

South African triathlete Richard Murray remarked that he would be very excited to have the grand final in Cape Town. “To have a warm grand final for a change would be nice!”

There were even hints thrown around that they are considering moving the grand final to Cape Town – but at this point it is only a very nice dream for local organisers and details will have to be discussed fully later. The grand final is at the end of the season, around November or December,  and would therefore fall in South Africa’s summer time.

Online registrations open 10 December and organisers are aiming for around 4 000 entries for each of the days. While there is not a specific course for parathletes, organisers will ensure that the course is suitable.

Update: The opening of entries for the International Triathlon Union's (ITU) World Triathlon Cape Town has been delayed to the 17th of December out of respect to former President Nelson Mandela and the 10 Days of Mourning.

Olympic Distance Individual
1 500m swim; 40km bike; 10km run
Year of birth 1996 or older
Men or women

Olympic Distance Team
1 500m swim; 40km bike; 10km run
Year of birth 1998 or older
Men and women, mixed

Sprint Distance Individual
500m swim; 20km bike; 5km run
Year of birth 1998 or older
Men or women

Sprint Distance Team
500m swim; 20km bike; 5km run
Year of birth 2002 or older
Men and women, mixed

Published by www.sportstrader.co.za