Forever Resorts Warmbaths in Bela Bela, South Africa, will be the host of Africa’s first 5150 triathlon on Saturday 13 August 2011. This highly anticipated new series has kicked off internationally and South Africa is now on board with the 5150 tri format from the owners of the Ironman and Ironman 70.3 brands, World Triathlon Corp/World Endurance Holdings.
5150 is a standard International/Olympic distance, non-drafting triathlon series. The race consists of a 1.5K swim, 40K bike and 10K run – 51.5K in total; hence the name, 5150.
Entries to the inaugural South African 5150 event open online on Tuesday 31 May 2011. World Endurance South Africa is offering athletes an Early-Bird Entry Special of R695 (US$100) from 31 May 2011 to 10 June 2011. Normal entry is R800 (US$115), while team entries are R1000 (US$145). Athletes who are not registered with Triathlon South Africa will be required to purchase a day licence for R30.
Forever Resorts Warmbaths will be the host venue of the inaugural race of the South African 5150 series. Tom Biewenga, Senior General Manager of the resort, is excited that the event will be hosted at Forever Resorts Warmbaths.
“We look forward to form part of such a prestigious event. Hosting an international event such as [the 5150], will be another feather that Forever Resorts Warmbaths can put in its cap,” said Biewenga.
“All of our efforts and considerations that benefit the resort are always extended to the region and [we are] growing Bela Bela as a competitive tourist destination to become a force to be reckoned with, not only in the province but also in the country.”
Forever Resorts Warmbaths is introducing a special offer for athletes with a 20% discount on the resort’s world class accommodation.
The new race in Bela Bela is the first of a series of races in cities around South Africa and is set to take the region, and soon the country, by storm. 1,300 athletes are expected to take part in South Africa’s very first 5150 on 13 August 2011. Athletes can compete either individually or as part of a team with individual age-group athletes competing for a qualifying slot to the Hy-Vee 5150 US Championships.
Elite athletes will compete not only for their share of the local US$10,000 prize purse, but also for series points for the Hy-Vee 5150 US Championships, which boasts a staggering prize purse of US$1.5 million.
“This is the first race in the series and we hope to build it into a big series in years to come,” said Keith Bowler, Managing Director of World Endurance South Africa.
“We want to ensure that each race is successful and we are confident that we can establish one of the biggest 5150 events in the world. There is no better place to start than Bela Bela as it lends itself to the philosophy of 5150. The region is geared up for an exciting weekend of racing and family fun!”
Werner Smit, 5150 Race Director, added “Bela Bela is a superb race venue with an average daytime temperature in August of 24 degrees. The race is well placed, five weeks after the ATU Triathlon Champs and three weeks before the ITU World Triathlon Champs in Beijing.
“For the rest of us, this is a great kick-off to the season with lots of fun at Forever Resorts Warmbaths in the Bushveld. A Saturday afternoon race, an evening party followed by the Pritt Ironkids on Sunday morning will all add up to one fantastic weekend.”
Along with the 5150 triathlon, Forever Resorts Warmbaths will also play host to the region’s very first Pritt Ironkids aquathlon. The Pritt Ironkids is already an institution in South Africa with the world’s biggest event taking place annually in Port Elizabeth as a side event to the world renowned Spec-Savers Ironman South Africa.
Bela Bela now has its very own kids event with the Pritt Ironkids taking place on Sunday 14 August at 09:00. Kids between the ages of 6 and 13 years can be part of this fun-filled event. Entry is priced at R100 and will see kids receiving a t-shirt, unique finisher medal, goodie bag and certificate.
