Race Course

The Race Course

The Corporate Triathlon Challenge race distances are a tenth of the Ironman Triathlon. The Challenge takes place over a 380m swim, 18km cycle and a 4.2km run. The race will finish in the same finish chute, prepared for the Ironman South Africa race taking place the following day. The race course includes the two transitions. The write up below will guide you through the whole race.

Bike Check In & Race Briefing

There is a procedure for checking your bike and helmet into the transition area. Please ensure that you have your cycling helmet, securely fastened on your head when you check your bike into the transition area. Referees will check your bike and see that your helmet is securely fitted. Once inside the transition area, there are volunteers to assist with the racking of your bikes. 

Once you have racked your bike, your next engagement is to attend the pre-race briefing that will take place on the beach. Athletes must congregate on the area between the pier and the demarcated swim exit area. See the event schedule on the Race Information page for a detailed event programme.

PLEASE NOTE:  ALL ATHLETES/TEAM MEMBERS MUST ATTEND RACE BRIEFING, NOT JUST THE SWIM TEAM MEMBER!

The rules and regulation, together with the course description and event schedule is available in the Athletes Guide which can be downloaded from the link on the home page.

Swim Course (380m)

All the different wave starts, start on Hobie Beach (See Race Schedule). The swim follows a rectangular route into the bay in an ANTI-CLOCKWISE direction around the buoys. The first leg is 150m towards the first buoy where you will turn 90° left, passing the buoy on your left. From here it is an 80m leg to the next buoy where again you will again turn 90° left, passing the buoy on your left. From here it is the final 150m leg back to the beach.

Once on the beach, runners will go up the stairs, under the temporary pedestrian bridge, do a sharp right around the side of transition, to the entry point at the transition area (behind the Hobie Yacht Club House). TEAMS: Once the swimmer is inside the relay holding pen, he/she must hand over the timing chip to the cyclists who must attach it to their left ankle. INDIVIDUALS will just proceed over the timing mats into the transition area.

The water temperature should be between 18 and 24 degrees Celsius. The surf is usually very small so getting beyond the breakers should not pose any problems at all. Currents vary, but are typically very weak. There are lifesavers and a full water safety plan in place. A swimmer experiencing difficulty and in need of assistance MUST raise an arm overhead, pump it up and down, and call or seek assistance.

• The Swimmer must have the timing chip secured to his/her left ankle.
• The Swimmer must wear the red Vodacom Swim Cap provided
• Wetsuits are optional, unless the water temperature is less than 14°C, then wetsuits become compulsory.

Transition 1 (Swim to Bike)

Transition 1 (or T1 for short) refers to the change over from swimming to cycling. Once the TEAM swimmer gets to the transition, they will run across the timing mat into the holding pen where they will hand the timing chip & belt and hand it over to the cyclist. It is very important that the cyclist puts the timing chip/strap on immediately.  Wear the chip on your left ankle, the opposite side to the bike's chain ring.

The team cyclist or individual must proceed to his/her bike. It is very important that you first put your helmet on your head and clip the strap in, prior to handling your bike. The cyclist will push the bike out of transition to the mount/dismount line. Only once the mount/dismount line has been crossed may the cyclist get onto his/her bike.

• Fit and secure your helmet strap before you handle your bike.
• No cycling inside the transition area or before you reach the mount line

Bike Course (18km)

Download PDF version of Race Course overview map.

Once you have gone through the T1 formalities (see paragraph above) leave Shark Rock parking lot and turn left into Marine Drive cycling on the LEFT-HAND SIDE of the road. Keep going down Marine Drive in the direction of Schoenmakerskop. After 9km you will reach the TURN-AROUND POINT. Turn around the beacon clock wise and head back towards Hobie Beach, keeping to the left.

The route is mostly flat with a few gentle rolling hills. There is the possibility of a wind blowing. Temperatures can vary between 22 and 30 degrees Celsius on the day. This is a draft-legal race. Triathlon bikes are permitted, provided that you are on your tri-bars ONLY if you are leading a bunch.
Dismount BEFORE the mount/dismount line and push your bike into Transition. (See paragraph below on T2).

• The cycling leg is draft legal, so pack riding is allowed (only use your tri-bar when you are leading a pack).
• Cycle in a consistent and predictable way.
• Please don’t litter on the course - littering on the course will result in a DISQUALIFICATION.
• Race number on your back during the cycle.

Transition 2 (Bike to Run)

The cyclist must dismount BEFORE the mount/dismount Line and push his/her bike into Transition. You must rack at the same spot that you have collected it from. Only once your bike has been securely racked may you unclip and remove your helmet. From here the cyclist must back track to the same spot he/she received the timing chip from the swimmer. The cyclist must hand over the timing chip in the holding pen to the runner, who must secure the timing chip and belt to an ankle and head out over the timing mat onto the run course. 

Run Course (4.2km)

Download PDF version of Run Course map.

Once through the T2 formalities (See section above), runners turn left out of their holding pen heading along Katie’s Walk in the direction of King’s Beach. Runners must keep to the left of the course (there is two-way running traffic on the majority of the run course).

Going out, runners will go past McArthur Baths, keeping left and remaining on the pedestrian pathway, parallel to the sidewalk and Marine Drive. At the end of this pathway they will turn right into the main entry into the Kings Beach parking lot. Runners will hug the periphery of the parking lot as marked out by the orange cones, past the water table. From the parking lot, they will take the pedestrian walkway past the back of the King’s Beach Lifesaving Club House. From here runners will take the pedestrian walkway to McArthur Baths, where they turn left onto the promenade, to back track all the way to transition. Again, please remember to stay on the left. Once you get to transition you will proceed past the sea side of the transition and onto the finish chute where you will finish under the Vodacom Corporate Triathlon Challenge finish arch.

• Race number on your front.
• Please don’t litter on the course - littering on the course will result in a DISQUALIFICATION.

Post Race

Once you have crossed the finish line the individual athletes will each receive a medal and the team runner will receive a medal for each team member. From the finish line area, individuals/team runners can go to the final aid station where they can meet fellow athletes/team members. It is imperative that the team runner hands the timing chip and timing belt back to the team cyclist, as the team cyclist needs the timing chip and timing belt to release his bike out of the transition area. The commentator will make the announcement on when the transition will open for bike check-out.

Awards Ceremony

The Awards Ceremony will start at 11:15 in the Vodacom Amphitheatre inside the Boardwalk Casino and Entertainment Complex. (Please look at the section on prizes for more information). Go and celebrate with your team members, fans and colleagues. It will be a blast!