Friday - May 18th 2018

Time Activity Location
10:00 – 20:00 Race office open Location
10:00 – 20:00 Expo village open Expo village
16:30 – 18:00 Swim course practice on race course Swim start
18:00 Race briefing English Location
18:30 Race briefing Portuguese/Spanish Location
20:00 Carbo loading party Location

Saturday - May 19th 2018

Time Activity Location
9:00 – 14:00 Race office open Location
10:00 – 20:00 Expo village open Expo village
10:00 – 14:00 Bike check in Transition
16:00 Race start Location
19:45 Expected finish first athlete Finish
23:59 Finish line cut off / closing ceremony Finish line
20:00 Carbo loading party Location

Sunday - May 20th 2018

Time Activity Location
9:00 – 10:45 Race office open Location
10:00 – 12:00 Expo village open Expo village
11:00 Race start family relay Transition
12:30 Awards ceremony Location
13:30 – 15:00 Closing event lunch Location

What is the minimum age to participate?

You must be 18 years or older on 31 December 2019.

What is the Challenge Cape Town distance?

Middle Distance: 1.9km swim, 90km bike, 21km run.

The bike leg is NOT draft legal.

Is there a cut-off time?

Yes, cut-offs are strictly enforced for safety reasons. The provisional course cut-off times are as follows:

  • Swim = 1h15
  • Cycle = 4h15
  • Run = 3h00

Total = 8h30

Must I be an experienced triathlete to participate?

While you do not need to be an experienced triathlete, you need to be fit to successfully complete a Middle Distance triathlon. If this is your first Middle Distance triathlon, we strongly recommend you join a multisport club near you. Most offer 6-month beginner training programmes to get you race ready.

Do you accept team entries?

Yes, you may enter the Team Relay; being part of a team is a great way to experience triathlon without committing to completing all three disciplines. A team may comprise two or three individuals.

Can I split / stagger my entry payment?

You may take advantage of the staggered payment offer, and may select the staggered payment option during the payment stage of the entry process. Note that the staggered payment option is ONLY applicable to the Standard Entry Fee. You will not be able to select a staggered payment option, combined with an Early Bird discount.

  • An initial deposit of R500 will be payable in order for you to secure your entry.
  • The Staggered payment option is available for South African residents only.
  • Athletes who select the Staggered Payment offer before 30 June 2019, may cancel their entry and get a full refund of their R500 deposit, no questions asked. Note that refunds will only be done after the event.
  • The Staggered Payment option is available for individual (solo) entries only and not for team relay entries.
  • The balance of the athlete’s entry fee will be payable as follows:
    • 2nd Payment = R1445 for individual entries, to be paid by 23h59 on 31 July 2019.
    • Final Payment = R1445 for individual entries to be paid by 23h59 on 31 August 2019.
  • Any default on payment or payments that are not received within the above periods will result in cancellation of your entry. Organisers will retain the greater of the initial deposit of R500 or 50% of entry fees paid by the participant. No late payments will be accepted, and no correspondence will be entered into in this regard.

When do entries close?

  • Early Bird entries close on 30 June (or, as soon as 300 entries have been received).
  • Standard entries close on 10 October (or, as soon as 1 500 entries have been received).

Once entries close, a waiting list will activate, and entries are automatically allocated as per your position on the list. If you receive an entry on the waiting list, you have 24 hours to complete your payment and accept your entry.

Can my entry for this year’s event be postponed to be used at next year’s event?

Entries may not be deferred to the next year.

Is it possible for me to cancel my race entry? And what is the policy on refunds?

Athletes that are unable to participate, regardless of their reasons, can request cancellation and refund of their entry under the following terms:

  • Until 23h59 on 14 July 2019 – 100% refund on entry fee, less a processing fee
  • Until 23h59 11 August 2019 – 50% refund on entry fee, less a processing fee
  • Until 23h59 8 September 2019– 25% refund on entry fee, less a processing fee
  • 9 September 2019 and after – 0% refund on entry fee

A 5% processing fee will be levied on all cancellations and transfers.

No refund will be provided if the cancellation request is received on or after 9 September 2019.

Please submit your cancellation and refund request to info@challenge-capetown.co.za.

Is it possible to transfer my entry to someone else?

Entries can be transferred to another person as long as the substitution request is submitted before 23h59 on 10 October 2019. A 5% administration fee will apply.

To transfer your entry to someone else, submit your request to info@challenge-capetown.co.za.

Do I need to purchase a day license if I am not a member of Triathlon South Africa (TSA)?

Yes, if you are not registered with Triathlon South Africa with a valid 2019 licence, you will need to purchase a day licence to participate. The cost is R120 per license – valid for individual and team entries. (*Only one temporary licence for a team is needed, no need to purchase three.)

Because this event is sanctioned by Triathlon South Africa, all Triathlon South Africa rules and regulations are applicable.

What kind of gear do I need?

You will need a wetsuit, as the water in Cape Town is cold and the event will most likely be wetsuit compulsory. You also need a road bike (mountain bikes are not permitted) and running gear. More experience triathletes wear tri suits, which assist with a faster transition.

Will time trial (TT) bikes and tri bars be allowed?

Tri bikes and tri bars will be allowed, as this is not a draft-legal race.

May I use a Tandem or unconventional bike?

You may not participate on a tandem or unconventional bike. If you are a para-triathlete, please email info@challenge-capetown.co.za for special requirements.

Will drafting be allowed?

Under no circumstances will drafting be allowed.

Will athletes receive split timings for the separate legs of the race?

Yes, time splits will be provided for the swim, bike and run leg of the race? Timing mats will be placed throughout the course to ensure your race results are accurate.

Where will I be able to find my finish time?

Provisional results will be posted on the event website, and a link to final results will be provided to athletes.

What is the Challenge Cape Town distance?

Middle Distance: 1.9km swim, 90km bike, 21.1km run.

The bike leg is NOT draft legal.

What is the minimum age to participate?

You must be 18 years or older on 31 December 2021.

Is there a cut-off time?

Yes, cut-offs are strictly enforced for safety reasons. Each discipline must be completed within the following time frames:

  • Swim: 1h15
  • Cycle: 4h15 (5h30 from swim start)
  • Run: 3h00 (8h30 from swim start)

The race must be completed within 8 hours and 30 minutes, and this time includes aid station stops, transition times, etc.

Any last-minute safety-related changes will be communicated during the race briefing.

Must I be an experienced triathlete to participate?

While you do not need to be an experienced triathlete, you need to be fit to successfully complete a Middle Distance triathlon. If this is your first Middle Distance triathlon, we strongly recommend you join a multisport club near you. Most offer 6-month beginner training programmes to get you race ready.

Do you accept team entries?

Yes, you may enter as a relay team. Being part of a team is a great way to experience triathlon without committing to completing all three disciplines. A team may comprise two or three individuals.

Can I split / stagger my entry payment?

You may take advantage of the staggered payment offer, and may select the staggered payment option during the payment stage of the entry process.

  • The payment breakdown is as follows:
    • Payment 1: R500 deposit, payable by 23h59 on 31 March 2021.
    • Payment 2: R965 (R1 750 for teams), paybable by 23h59 on 1 April 2021.
    • Payment 3: R965 (R1 750 for teams), paybable by 23h59 on 1 June 2021.
    • Payment 4: R965 (R1 750 for teams), paybable by 23h59 on 1 August 2021.
  • The Staggered payment option is available for South African residents only.
  • Athletes who select the Staggered Payment offer before 31 March 2021, may cancel their entry and get a full refund of their R500 deposit, no questions asked. Note that refunds will only be done after the event.
  • The Staggered Payment option is available to solo and team relay entries (terms apply, please see Important Notes below).
  • Any default on payment or payments that are not received within the above periods will result in cancellation of your entry. Organisers will retain the greater of the initial deposit of R500 or 50% of entry fees paid by the participant. No late payments will be accepted, and no correspondence will be entered into in this regard.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

  • The staggered payment option is ONLY applicable to the Standard Entry Fee.
  • You will not be able to use the staggered payment option in combination with the Early Bird discount.
  • Relay Teams cannot use the staggered payment option in combination with the team split payment option.

When do entries close?

  • Early Bird entries close on 31 March 2021 (or, as soon as 250 entries have been received).
  • Standard entries close on 31 August 2021.
  • Late entries close on 8 October 2021.

In the event that the entry limit is reached, a waiting list will activate, and entries will automatically be allocated on a first come first served basis. If you receive an entry on the waiting list, you have 24 hours to complete your payment and accept your entry.

Can my entry for this year’s event be postponed to be used at next year’s event?

Entries may not be deferred to the next year.

Is it possible for me to cancel my race entry? And what is the policy on refunds?

If the event gets cancelled due to COVID-19 you’ll get a 100% refund (less admin fee).

Athletes that are unable to participate, regardless of their reasons, can request cancellation and refund of their entry under the following terms:

  • Until 23h59 on 30 June 2021 – 100% refund on entry fee, less a processing fee
  • Until 23h59 on 31 July 2021 – 50% refund on entry fee, less a processing fee
  • Until 23h59 on 31 August 2021 – 25% refund on entry fee, less a processing fee
  • 1 September 2021 and after – 0% refund on entry fee

A R150 processing fee will be levied on all cancellations and transfers.

No refund will be provided if the cancellation request is received on or after 1 September 2020. No correspondence will be entered into in this regard.

Please submit your cancellation and refund request to info@challenge-capetown.co.za

Is it possible to transfer my entry to someone else?

The official substitution window is 9 – 30 October 2021. No substitution requests will be facilitated before this time. A R150 administration fee will apply.

Do I need to purchase a day license if I am not a member of Triathlon South Africa (TSA)?

Yes, if you are not registered with Triathlon South Africa with a valid licence, you will need to purchase a day licence to participate. The cost is R120 per license – valid for individual and team entries. (*Only one temporary licence for a team is needed, no need to purchase three.)

Because this event is sanctioned by Triathlon South Africa, all Triathlon South Africa rules and regulations are applicable.

Note that annual licences are up for renewal in September each year. If you enter using your 2019 licence number, you will be required to update your profile with your 2020 licence details, or you will be charged a day licence fee at Race Registration.

What kind of gear do I need?

You will need a wetsuit, as the average ocean temperatures in Cape Town make for a wetsuit compulsory event. You also need a road bike and running gear. More experienced triathletes wear tri suits, which assist with a faster transition.

Will time trial (TT) bikes and tri bars be allowed?

Tri bikes and tri bars will be allowed, as this is not a draft-legal race.

May I use a Tandem or unconventional bike?

You may not participate on a tandem or unconventional bike.

May Para-triathletes participate?

The addition of a para-triathlete category in the event depends on the demands of the race course. We are currently reviewing the course of 2021. Please email us if you are interested in participating in the event, and we will correspond with you in due course.

May Visually Impaired athletes participate?

Visually impaired athletes are welcome, provided that both the athlete and pilot are confident open water swimmers, can navigate transition with ease, are able to cycle on a tandem while adhering to the cycling rules, and can navigate the run route through the guide’s verbal commands. This is also a team entry, as both the athlete and guide’s personal and medical details must be captured on the event’s race file. Please email info@challenge-capetown.co.za for more information.

Will drafting be allowed?

Under no circumstances will drafting be allowed.

Will athletes receive split timings for the separate legs of the race?

Yes, time splits will be provided for the swim, bike and run leg of the race? Timing mats will be placed throughout the course to ensure your race results are accurate.

Where will I be able to find my finish time?

Provisional results will be posted on the event website, and a link to final results will be provided to athletes.