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 pushes athletes from the start with a steep climb up Old Cape Road to the Simola Golf Course and into the Knysna forest on Gounda road till the finish line at Diepwalle Forest Station. Faced with nearly 1,700m of ascent, athletes will be challenged on all sections of the route. Water / Nutritional stops will be available for Knysna Extreme 0.5 athlete on the cycle and Run Route.
SWIM COURSE - 2.5KM
Athletes will start on the jetty outside The Knysna Experience at 05H05 and follow an anti- clockwise direction heading towards the Knysna Yacht Club and the first turn point in front of Laguna Grove. The outgoing high tide will has just started to turn which will assist the athletes on the last stretch is back to the swim exit at the SA National Parks Board slipway.
High Tide - 04H01 | Low Tide 09H44
Cut-off time for the Swim is 06H30
*swim route may vary depending on current and tide on the day*
CYCLE COURSE - 100KM (800m elevation)
Athletes will cycle through the Garden Route along the N2 passing through Sedgefield and to the first checkpoint in Wilderness. This is where the Extreme and Extreme 0.5 routes split and head off in opposite directions. The Extreme 0.5 athletes will cycle through Wilderness, over the old train bridge and through SANParks Ebb n Flow and onto the N2. From here its the return leg back to Knysna and Transition on Thesen Island.
Cut-off time for the Cycle is 11H00
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 just over 800 m altitude gain, the run leg is the toughest and most challenging part of the Knysna Extreme 0.5 triathlon. After a steep initial climb to Simola Golf Course, athletes then head through the forest along steep gravel windy and narrow roads before an intense climb leading to the finish line at Diepwalle Forest Station.
Cut-Off time for the Run is 14H00
