2018 LowMed Open Water Swim & Lowveld Triathlon Challenge
WHITE RIVER – The new year is starting off with a sporting bang as LowMed Health and Sport Performance Centre and the Ehlanzeni Triathlon Association are hosting a 2-in-1 action packed weekend at the Longmere Dam Canoe Club. Although it will be separate events, the entities work together to not only host, but promote open water swimming and triathlon in the province.
Later today, there will be a 10km open water swim event, which starts at 15:00. Swimmers can join Gauteng long distance swimmers at this official qualifier for the Midmar event later this year.
Saturday morning’s first 2018 LowMed Open Water Swim series action commence at 07:00 with registration then racing at 08:00. LowMed is proud to announce two new items to the current list of distances, a 5 000m and 750m. “With the growth of the sport in the province, we thought to bring in the longer distances to give athletes the opportunity to qualify for the Midmar Mile later on this year. This is an official sanctioned event and swimmers can’t miss out on the opportunity,” Harry Wiltshire, of LowMed said.
Racing times and entry fees are as follow:
5 000m at 08:00 (R250 per swimmer)
3 000m 09:00 (R230)
1 500m (09:45(R180), 750m 10:15 (R150)
400m 10:30 (R120)
A fun 100m kiddie’s event after the completion of the 400m item
Remember to bring swim caps, as there will be no racing allowed without it. Download the Open Water Swim entry forms from www.lowmed.co.za or their Facebook page @LowMedHealthSport or on the day. Forms are also available at Lana Goedhart at LowMed Health and Sport Performance Centre in Orange Street. Enquiries: 013-741 1820.
Sunday morning is an early start for triathletes with registration for the Lowveld Triathlon Challenge opening at 05:30 and the transition closing by 07:00. Race briefing will be at 07:15. The kids transition open at 7:45 until 08:30 where after their race briefing will be at 08:45.
Triathletes, individuals or teams, can enter in either the Standard race (1.5km swim, 40km cycling, 10km run), the Sprint (750m swim, 20km cycling, 5km run) or the Super Sprint (400m swim, 10km cycling, 2.5km run). There are two development races too. A Kids Race (200m swim, 6km cycle and 2km run) or the Nippers event (100m swim, 3km cycle, 1km run).
Times, age limits and costs of the different races are as follow:
- Standard – starting time 07:30, minimum age 18 years, individual athletes (R350), team (R450) – a temporary
- Licence will cost you R100.
- Sprint – 08:00, minimum age 16 years, R250 and R350, temporary licence R30.
- Super Sprint – 08:30, minimum age 12 years, R175 and R250, temporary licence R30.
- Kids Race (off road) – 09:00, minimum age 9-11 years, R50 and R75, no temporary licence needed.
- Nippers (off road) – 09:00, minimum age 5-7 years, R50 and R75, no temporary licence needed.
- Enquiries on the Lowveld Triathlon Challenge: Taryn Field on 082-442-5833 or mptriathlon@gmail.com.
Due to popular demand, online entries for the triathlon at www.bouttime.co.za are open until 11 January 2018.