XTERRA Nelson Mandela Bay, 10-12 February 2017, Port Elizabeth, 41.5km

From 10-12 February 2017, the second ever XTERRA Nelson Mandela Bay will take place in the city of Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape. The XTERRA is an off-road triathlon and the Nelson Mandela Bay event is the first time this type of race has been held within the confines of a city.

The first round is a 1.5-kilometre ocean swim from Kings Beach. The 28-kilometre cycle route travels into the Baakens Valley, taking a unique trail with obstacles like risen railway tracks and steps before heading along cliffs and across streams. The final 10-kilometre run starts out with a short beach run and takes two loops around the Happy Valley parkland. It’s not a particularly difficult run, but competitors will be tried by the changing surface, switching between soft sand, hard packed dirt and rocky trails.

Ironman African Championship South Africa, 2 April 2017, Port Elizabeth, Nelson Mandela Bay, 226km

If you’re serious about competing, the Ironman African Championship is an international gem on 2 April 2017. The city of Port Elizabeth is South Africa’s second oldest city, a quiet beachside town compared to its more urban counterparts, Johannesburg and Cape Town. Athletes and spectators who travel here get the unique opportunity to visit one of the most wildly beautiful and historically significant areas of the world.

The race itself begins with a one-lap, 3.8km swim course beginning on Hobie Beach, followed by a bike course that takes athletes out on two flat, fast laps of 90 km on one of the most spectacular bike courses on the IRONMAN circuit. Finally the run course brings athletes closer to their fans and friends than ever thanks to four loops along Marine Drive and the event’s famous crowds of 80 000-plus spectators.

Ironman 70.3 Durban, 18 June 2017, Durban, 113km

The Durban Ironman 70.3 will take place on 18 June  2017. The course is designed to be both physically challenging and visually spectacular. It takes in some of the city’s finest scenery and the breathtaking Indian Ocean coastline.

The race starts with a swim in the Bay of Plenty, one of the sparkling beaches on Durban’s famous Golden Mile. It’s one of the city’s most popular beaches and is generally packed with people swimming, sunbathing or playing volleyball, so there will always be a good turn out to cheer on the competitors for the start of the race.

Once out of the water it’s onto the bikes for a fast-paced, undulating course that loops around the Blue Lagoon. The run section is made up of two loops along the Promenade, before the race finishes in front of the Suncoast Casino Amphitheatre.

See South Africa
While you are in South Africa, visit stunning food and wine regions, soak up the atmosphere and recover in the buzzing capital of Cape Town or don’t miss the chance to experience a South African Safari.

Safari
No visit to South Africa is complete without an African safari. The country is home to almost 1,000 public and private game reserves covering the most diverse landscapes on the continent. The most famous is Kruger National Park, known for its big cats, abundant elephants and rare white rhinos. For an exclusive safari experience, you can’t go past the private Sabi Sands reserve. The park is only open to guests staying in its luxury lodges and is known for sightings of the rarest of the big five, the leopard. Find out more about safaris here.

Cape Town
And for some post-race recovery, you can’t miss a few days in the buzzing, cosmopolitan capital of Cape Town. This breezy waterfront city has great food, cool bars and an emerging art and design scene, all in the shadow of the magnificent Table Mountain.

South African Winelands
Just two hours from Cape Town, put your bike to good use with a cycling tour around the vineyards of the South African Winelands region. Here you’ll find around 400 wineries spread around the region as well as beautiful scenery and fine dining options. The dry, mountainous microclimate produces spectacular sauvignon blanc and the region’s signature drop pinotage. Find out more about food & wine here.

Forth & Wonder offer personalised travel itineraries to get you to the top triathlons in Africa along with luxury accommodation, safari experiences, food and wine activities and much more. To find out more contact curious@forthandwonder.com.au or call 03 9045 9819 or complete our contact form and one of our Travel Designers will be in touch to start planning your dream escape.