ATHLETES START TRAINING FOR TRIATHLON

The football frenzy that gripped the nation during the 2010 Fifa World Cup is something of the past and it is time for you to get active, outdoors and back into shape. ,p> One way to do this is to start training for this year’s edition of the BSG Energade Triathlon Series. As Africa’s premiere sprint triathlon competition incorporating three disciplines, swimming, cycling and running, it offers competitors a multi-faceted sporting experience.

The series comprises seven races, which take place between October and December at venues across the country. It’s not only accessible to the majority of enthusiasts but. because of the stage distances, is within the capabilities of tbow simply considering a sporting challenge with a difference or a foray into the exhilarating world of multi-sport

“The main aim of the series remains to develop the sport amongst the community at large. However. South Africa’s top professional triathletes and a host of international tri-stars compete in the series annually for substantial prize money, with this year’s being nearly R200 000.”‘ says Greg Reis. CEO of BSG Africa, one of the title sponsors of the series.

With a kiddies race section added to the scries in 2007. BSG Energade Triathlon Series race days have turned into an ideal family day out. The entire household is now able to participate and support each other.

As participants in either the kids section or senior division can compete as individuals or in teams in their category, literally anyone can participate in the series whether they are eight or 80. Testament to this is that through an initiative of the sponsors and Triathlon SA, children and adults from previously disadvantaged areas competed in the 2009 series even though some couldn’t swim or did not have bicycles. These individuals were teamed with elite athletes to swim on their behalf or with friends who did have equipment, enabling the development of the sport at grass roots level.

The competition dates are:

: • Roodeplaat Dam just outside Pretoria on October 10;

• Potch Dam in the North West Province on October 17;

• Germiston Lake on the Last Rand on October 24;

• Midmar Dam in Kwazulu Natal on October 31;

• North-West University Vaal in Vanderbijlpark on November 14;

• Pollock Beach in Port Elizabeth on November 28; and

• Big Bay in Cape Town on December 5.

For more information phone Come Grobler on 082-568-0301. Page 1

Source: Rekord Oos/East- Lynn wood/Brooklyn