Multisport athletes taking part in the Fedhealth XTERRA South African Championship, the largest XTERRA in the world, at the picturesque Grabouw Country Club this coming weekend (24 – 26 February 2017) can look forward to a World Class experience.
“We are proud to host South Africa’s premier off road triathlon and the World’s largest XTERRA,” says Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports. “Grabouw is known for its beauty and the challenge that it pits athletes against. We are excited to welcome both local and international athletes to the South African Championship and look forward to witnessing XTERRA racing of the highest level.”
According to Hendrico Burger, XTERRA Race Director, the Fedhealth XTERRA Grabouw is iconic because of its trails. “It’s a combination of elements that makes this route tough including the elite athlete factor, the varied terrain, the sprint to the first single track and the weather. Due to recent fires and harvesting, the landscape has changed dramatically. Large parts of the A – Z trails were either rebuilt or rerouted. All the iconic landmarks are still there though.”
XTERRA Warriors to look out for in the men’s race will include: reigning XTERRA SA Champion Bradley Weiss, Olympian Richard Murray, Stuart Marais, Theo Blignaut, Brice Daubord (France), Jan Pyott (Switzerland) and Kris Coddens (Belgium).
In the women’s race reigning XTERRA SA and XTERRA World Champion, Flora Duffy (Bermuda) will be gunning for her fourth consecutive XTERRA SA title. XTERRA Warriors hoping to throw a spanner in the works will include Carina Wasle (Austria), Rachel Klamer (Netherlands) and Sandra Koblmüller (Austria).
Seen here: Antoine Van Heerden in actin during the 2016 Fedhealth XTERRA South African Championship. Photo Credit: Tobias Ginsberg
Forming part of the XTERRA World Tour, athletes taking part in the Fedhealth XTERRA Grabouw stand a chance to qualify for the XTERRA World Championship that will take place in Maui later in the year.
EVENT INFORMATION: Fedhealth XTERRA South African Championship (Grabouw Country Club, Western Cape)
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Friday, 24 February 2017 |
Fedhealth XTERRA Kids |
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6-8 years (60m Swim, 2km MTB, 600m Trail Run) |
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9-11 years (100m Swim, 3km MTB, 1.5km Trail Run) |
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12-15 years (250m Swim, 5km MTB, 2.5km Trail Run) |
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Saturday, 25 February 2017 |
Fedhealth XTERRA Full: 1.5km swim, 26km MTB, 12.5km trail run |
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MTB: The route starts off with jeep track and features a variety of riding surfaces, but mostly hard packed surfaces. The majority of the climbing is done in the first half. There is, however a tester of a climb after the 16km mark. The second half of the race is mostly single track. Expect a few sandy patches due to the recent fires. The infamous rock garden is still included. |
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Trail Run: Expect a variety of running surfaces, mostly single track in the first 6km with a refreshing water crossing. There is a loose climb between 6 -8km, followed by a sweeping jeep track down hill, some more single and jeep tracks before reaching the ‘beach run’ which will take runners back to the finish. |
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Sunday, 26 February 2017 |
XTERRA Trail Run: 12.5km and 6.5km |
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Sunday, 26 February 2017 |
Fedhealth XTERRA Lite: 400m swim, 15km MTB, 6.5km trail run |
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MTB: The first half of the route is mostly jeep track with the majority of climbing happening in the first 7km, followed by mostly single tracks back to transition. The XTERRA Lite route incorporates less technical single tracks. The rock garden also does not feature here. |
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Trail Run: Look forward to all the fun single tracks, without the big climbs. The infamous ‘beach run’ will still take runners to the finish. |
The Bos Sport Recovery Zone will be a welcomed oasis for XTERRA Warriors when they cross the finish line!
Advice from the Race Director:
- Arrive early to give yourself time for last minute issues that might arise.
- Find out timeously where the swim starts. This may change due to the water level of the dam.
- Make sure that you know where to get body marked prior to the swim start.
- Understand the rules of the transition area including how and where to rack your bike.
- Do not be scared to ride and/or run single tracks.
- If you are a stronger competitor, try and position yourself in the first half after the swim as passing on the single tracks is not easy.
- Most importantly, relax and enjoy the race.
The Prize Purse for the Fedhealth XTERRA Grabouw has increased to a whopping R154 000. The top five finishers in the XTERRA Full open men’s and women’s races will receive prize money, with the first place winners each taking home R30 000.
Follow us on Twitter: @XTERRASA / @Fedhealthmed
Like our FaceBook page: XTERRA South Africa / Fedhealth Medical Aid
For further information or to enter the Fedhealth XTERRA Grabouw contact 082 991 0045, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.stillwatersports.com
Issued by: NEWSPORT MEDIA
On behalf of: STILLWATER SPORTS
For further information, please contact Jacky McClean via e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.