Publications
Partners
Cape Town - A star-studded array of World Series leaders and Olympic hopefuls are on their way to Cape Town for the Discovery World Triathlon this month.
Spain’s Mario Mola and Briton Helen Jenkins, current leaders of the 2016 ITU World Triathlon Series, have entered this prestigious South African event. Both of last year’s Cape Town winners, England’s reigning Olympic gold medalist Alistair Brownlee and compatriot Vicky Holland, will also be racing here again.
The event takes place around the V&A Waterfront and Green Point on April 24.
South African triathlon star Richard Murray described the field as “the best you can get in terms of the top 10 International Triathlon Union (elite) triathletes … we will get to see all the world’s best athletes race together and this will make for some amazing watching.”
Mola, Alastair and Jonathan Brownlee, as well as France’s Vincent Luis are the athletes who can complete a five kilometre running leg in under 14 minutes and 30 seconds “and they will be the ones to watch”, said Murray.
The Discovery World Triathlon Cape Town has become one of the highlights on the ITU World Triathlon Series calendar and the elite course consists of a 750m swim in North Wharf at the V&A Waterfront, followed by a 20km cycle through the surrounding areas and then a 5km run.
Sadly, Murray broke bones in his hand and severed a clavicle at the 2016 Jewel World Triathlon Gold Coast in Australia on April 9 and he is unable to compete in Cape Town.
The field will, however, be littered with athletes from the top of the 2016 World Series rankings and one of the strongest ever to come to these shores.
Besides Mola, Luis and the Brownlee brothers Capetonians can also look forward to seeing Spain’s Fernando Alarza (second in the 2016 rankings) and Mexico’s Crisanto Grajales (fifth).
“It’s going to be fascinating seeing these athletes in an Olympic year when they are all striving to be at their best,” said race director Gary Marescia.
“Besides attracting a field of this standard, the event will provide an opportunity to showcase Cape Town to the world.”
The women’s field will be exceptionally strong too. Jenkins will face challenges from current women’s number two Flora Duffy of Bermuda and number three Jodie Stimpson, also from the UK.
Last year’s second, third and fourth placed Cape Town finishers - America’s Katie Zaferes, Switzerland’s Nicola Spirig and Germany’s Sophia Saller - have all indicated that they will be back too.
The Discovery World Triathlon is one of nine events on the elite international triathlon circuit. It offers an opportunity for elites and novices to test their abilities in this multisport format. In addition, a dedicated schools challenge has been developed to encourage youngsters to participate in this multi-discipline activity.
* The Discovery World Triathlon Cape Town, along with the Discovery Duathlon Cape Town, forms part of a weekend festival of multisport in the Mother City. With both events over the same weekend, it’s the ideal opportunity to get active with friends and family. The Discovery Duathlon takes place on Saturday, April 23, and its run-cycle-run format is aimed at newcomers to multisport events and families or people looking for an enjoyable athletic outing. The Discovery World Triathlon, for elite and accomplished athletes, takes place on Sunday, April 24, and includes a schools challenge. The route takes competitors around the V&A Waterfront and Green Point, with the Green Point Athletic Stadium providing an excellent venue for fans to get a good view of the thrilling racing.
Enter at http://capetown.triathlon.org
Participants have the option to enter sprint or Olympic distance races. The Discovery World Triathlon Cape Town welcomes paratriathletes to enter the sprint event.
Events
The Discovery World Triathlon Cape Town (April 24, 2016)
Sprint individual 500m swim, 20km cycle, 5km run
Sprint team 500m swim, 20km cycle, 5km run
Ages 20+
Standard individual 750m swim, 40km cycle, 10km run
Standard team 750m swim, 40km cycle, 10km run
Ages 18+
Discovery World Triathlon Cape Town Schools Challenge (April 24, 2016)
Schools Challenge individual 500m swim, 20km cycle, 5km run (Ages 16 – 19)
Schools Challenge team 500m swim, 20km cycle, 5km run (Ages 14 – 19)
Discovery Duathlon Cape Town (April 23, 2016)
Super Sprint Distance 2.5km run, 10km cycle, run 2.5km
Sprint Distance 5km run, 20km cycle, 2.5km run
Standard Distance 10km run, 40km cycle, 5km
Discovery Kids Duathlon Cape Town (April 23, 2016)
5-6 years: 500m run, 1,3km cycle, 650m run
7-9 years: 500m run, 2,6km cycle, 650m run
10-11 years: 1km run, 3.9km cycle, 1,3km run
Elite Race Start Times for Discovery World Triathlon Cape Town (April 24, 2016):
Elite Women: 14:06
Elite Men: 16:36
For more information visit:
