THE COURSE
Athletes will battle tidal currents in the Knysna Estuary, then cycle along the N2 coastal road, passing through Sedgefield and turning around in Wilderness before heading back to Knysna. Temperatures will be moderate and humid along the lush, green coastal route. The run leg challenges athletes from the start with a steep climb up Old Cape Road to the Simola Golf Course, continuing into the Knysna forest on Gouna Road, and ending at Diepwalle Forest Station. With nearly 1,700m of ascent, athletes will be tested on all sections of the route.
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SWIM COURSE - 2.5KM
Athletes will start on the jetty next to Sirocco at 05:05 and will follow a clockwise direction towards the Heads and the turn point at Leisure Isle. The outgoing low tide will assist the athletes on the initial stretch of the swim . Once around the turn point, the tide should have little influence on the athletes as they make their way back to the swim exit at the SA National Parks Board slipway.
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Low Tide - 06H11 | High Tide - 12H37
Cut-off time for the Swim is 06H30
*swim route may vary depending on current and tide on the day*
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CYCLE COURSE - 100KM (800m elevation)
Athletes will cycle along the Garden Route on the N2, passing through Sedgefield to the first checkpoint in Wilderness. Here, the Extreme and Extreme 0.5 routes split and head off in opposite directions. Extreme 0.5 athletes will cycle through Wilderness, over the old train bridge, through SANParks Ebb-n-Flow, and then back onto the N2. From there, it’s the return leg back to Knysna and Transition on Thesen Island. The total ascent is over 880 meters.
Cut-off time for the Cycle is 11H00
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RUN COURSE - 30KM (807m elevation)
The 30 km run route takes athletes through the stunning Knysna Forest along Gouna Road to the finish line. With an altitude gain of just over 800 m, this leg of the Knysna Extreme 0.5 triathlon is the toughest and most challenging. After a steep initial climb to Simola Golf Course, athletes continue through the forest along narrow, winding gravel roads before facing an intense ascent that leads to the finish line at Diepwalle Forest Station.
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Cut-Off time for the Run is 14H00
