MEDIA RELEASE
Mayor Backs Mother City’s First Middle Distance Triathlon
(Cape Town, 14 August 2019) The City of Cape Town will host its first middle distance triathlon on Sunday, 10 November 2019.
CHALLENGECAPETOWN will comprise a 1.9km swim in Big Bay, a 90km cycle with three turning points along the coastal road that will end in the CBD, and a 21km run that will be completed over three laps in the Zonnebloem / District Six precinct. This is one of only a handful point-to-point events in the country, where the start and finish are in two different locations.
In an historic moment, the finish stretch of the cycle leg will see athletes sprinting along the iconic Government Avenue in the Company’s Garden – the first cycle race to do so.
Situated at the edge of the Company’s Garden and at the foot of Table Mountain, the Cape Town High School sports fields will be transformed into a spectator friendly finish line and race village on Race Day. The 7km run loop will become a hive of activity as spectators and supporters line the streets to watch all the race day action, while athletes will pass some of the City’s historical buildings and iconic landmarks.
The City of Cape Town is consistently rated one of the world’s favourite tourism and sporting destinations, and the addition of an international triathlon will cement the City’s reputation as SA’s sports capital.
Cape Town Executive Mayor Dan Plato said: “We are proud to introduce another international large-scale event to the City’s dynamic events calendar. As the first of its kind in the Mother City, CHALLENGECAPETOWN will further solidify the City’s reputation as Africa’s – and the world’s – events capital.
“The race format and spectacular scenery will showcase the Mother City in a way I’m sure will make for a memorable event for local and international participants, and the economic impact will have significant benefits for our residents.”
Race director Gary Marescia notes that the growing popularity of middle distance triathlons, coupled with the event’s flat, fast and scenic route, perfectly positions CHALLENGECAPETOWN as a desirable race for seasoned and first-time competitors alike.
Marescia, who is also the director of WorldSport Active, adds that organising CHALLENGECAPETOWN is a great honour. “WorldSport has a long history of delivering multisport events, and we are thrilled to be given the opportunity to bring the first CHALLENGEFAMILY event in Africa to Cape Town’s shores.”
For CHALLENGEFAMILY CEO Zibi Szlufcik it is a dream come true to extend the CHALLENGEFAMILY race portfolio to Africa.
“It is a world class destination and we look forward to an excellent experience for all athletes. Competitors from all over the world will be part of history this year and I‘m personally thrilled to share the start line with our athletes. Our athlete-centric approach perfectly match the local hospitality and I am excited to meet athletes from across the globe at the Cape Town finish line!“
Online entries are currently open at www.challenge-capetown.co.za. For regular updates, follow @challengecapetowntri on Facebook and Instagram, and @challengectn on Twitter. Race queries may be sent to info@challenge-capetown.co.za.
ENDS
Issued by: CHALLENGECAPETOWN Media Office
Contact: Leonie Mollentze
media@challenge-capetown.co.za
082 550 1514
