By Stillwater Sports
The 2019 XTERRA racing calendar kicks off at the Elgin Grabouw Country Club on Saturday and Sunday, February 23-24 with the largest event of its kind in the world, and participants will have some exciting new routes to race over.
XTERRA Grabouw Full (on Sunday, February 24) features a 1.5km swim, a 27km MTB and a 12km trail run over a new-look course that organisers Stillwater Sports expects to excite the entrants.
Ruan van Zyl in action during the 2017 XTERRA South African Championships.
“Grabouw’s routes are iconic and rated to be of the best in the world,” says Michael Meyer, Managing Director Stillwater Sports. “This year we’ve implemented a number of changes that are guaranteed to keep things fresh and exciting on event day.
“The good news is that the water level of the Eikenhof Dam is higher than in 2018. This means that the swim exit will go back to where it was in 2017, shortening the run to transition. XTERRA Full entrants can expect a brand new MTB and trail run experience.
“The MTB route will follow the Northern trails for the first 12km before heading back towards single track heaven. The first single track to be encountered will be the famous Rock Garden, followed by a hill before the single track fun continues to the finish line.
“An easier trail run route will take entrants around the dam and will also feature spectacular single track. The iconic beach run to the finish will still close off the race.”
The XTERRA Grabouw Lite (on Saturday, Februay 23) features a 400m swim, a +-14km MTB and 6.5km trail run.
An added bonus for the top competitors is the news that Full Race will serve as a selection event for the 2019 ITU Cross Tri World Championships in Pontevedra, Spain.
“XTERRA Grabouw boasts a high standard of national competition and a high standard of event presentation,” says Jan Sterk, Vice President Triathlon South Africa (TSA). “In order to be considered for the SA team athletes must be fully licensed with TSA before race day. The team will be selected and announced within a week of the event taking place. Qualification categories will include elite, all age group and para tri categories.”
For more information go to the race website.
All photos: Jetline Action Photo