THE annual St Francis Sport Summer Series which offers swimmers, runners, paddlers, and cyclists 11 events to choose from, will take place in the greater St Francis and Jeffreys Bay until December 31.
According to race organiser, Eric Stewart, the series gives serious sportsmen the opportunity to continue with their training without interfering with their holiday programme, as distances are designed to include the entire family.
“As some of the events can be entered as teams, family and friends can also enjoy some friendly rivalry or add stiff competition,” said Stewart.
The series kicked off with the Cape St Francis Resort Road Run and Walk on December 16.
The Blue Abyss Breathe Swim & Run Duathlon is set for today, December 17, at 08:00 from Quaysyde in Sea Glades Drive, St Francis Bay.
New on the programme is the Bruce’s Ocean Triathlon, which includes a 500m ocean swim, 20km MTB and 5km trail run. The triathlon will start and finish at the Granny’s Pool, Harbour Rd, St Francis Drive at 08:00 on December 18.
Not to be taken lightly is the Village Square Superspar Extreme Duathlon (Trail Run & MTB) on December 21, at 08:00. Teams and individuals can choose between the 5km trail run and 15km MTB, or 10km trail run and 30km MTB through the St Francis Field.
The Blue Abyss Breathe Canal Swim will take place on December 22, from Quaysyde, Sea Glades Drive, St Francis Bay at 08:00.
One of the highlights of the series is the TCS Sand River Trail Run which is planned for December 23, at 08:00, from the access gate to Dune Ridge Country House. Distances are 5km, 14km, and 21km.
The Endless Summer Open Water Swim will take place on December 26, at 16:00 and will start at Port St Francis and finish 2,3km away at the Granny’s Pool.
However, if the weather is not favourable, the event will take place on December 28, 29 or 30.
An old popular event brought back is the 15km Gabriël Jewellers and Watches Beach Run & MTB Ride which is also open to mountain bikers, between Jeffreys Bay and St Francis Bay. The event will take place on December 29, and will start at 08:00 from the Walskipper parking area. There is one river crossing and barges will be supplied by the organisers.
The event not to be missed is the popular Pam Golding Properties Quadrathlon, set for December 30, at 08:00 from the Quaysyde, Sea Glades Drive, St Francis Bay. The race will be a 12km cycle into the St Francis Links, 500m canal swim, 3km run and finish with a 3km paddle.
On the same day, the community 5km Chokka Trail Full Moon Run & Walk event will start at 19:30 and finish at the Cape St Francis Main Beach entrance, Seal Point Boulevard.
The grand finale is the Custom Construction MTB Challenge, planned for December 31, at 08:00, from the access gate to Dune Ridge Country House.
Stewart said in order to ensure safe events, online entries were available on www.stfrancissport.co.za and participants need to secure a permanent race number, which can be collected from Custom Bikes in St Francis Bay from December 10.
For only R 400 participants get individual access to 11 events, while individual entry fees are R 100 for adults and u/18 and R 80 for u/14.
All winners will be announced live on social media a few hours after the race and full results will be posted; digital certificates will be issued to the top three male and female winners in each age category.
Programmes are available in printed format from Custom Bikes in the Village Centre or St Francis Tourism inside the Kouga Municipal Building, Assissi Drive, or contact Esti on WhatsApp on 073 825 0835 for a digital programme.
