Triathlon that fired the imagination is back

Tribal Tri-Series blasts off at the Orient on Sunday

Triathlon action is back in the city as the popular and continuously growing annual Tribal Tri-Series kicks off its 2018 edition this weekend.

Another exciting series is expected as the Tribal Tri-Series, which is now a cornerstone for new and returning triathletes aiming to hone their skills before the annual ever popular Ironman 70.3 takes place in January next year.

This year’s edition is set to be a four-part series once again, consisting of one sprint race, two Olympic distances and an ultra in August, October, November and December respectively, with athletes of every age, ability and gender catered for.

“We are seriously excited to get the season up and running,” said marketing director at Tribal, Cillian Ryan.

“We have already seen an increase in new entries this year, of people that are trying out the sport for the first time, and that fills us with such enthusiasm.

“We know that this is a sport that can and should be accessible to all, and to see more and more people getting the ‘Tri bug’ makes us so proud of where the sport is in East London at the moment.”

Some top local athletes will be taking part this year, but last year’s dominant men’s champion Brad Birkholtz may not be in town to defend his title.

Birkholtz, who is set to compete in the Ironman World Championships in Port Elizabeth next weekend, claimed the win in all four Tribal Tri-Series races last year, and he believes there are a number of top athletes who will be in action.

“It’s not every spot in the world that can boast the times that East London can for our local triathlons,” said Birkholtz.

Athletes to look out for on the men’s front should they take part in the series this year are Eben Hartslief, Daryll Koekemoer and Ric Wadge, who all claimed podium finishes last year.

On the women’s side Lauren van Wyk picked up two wins and Charlene Moss one, while Roxy Ward, Clio Bax and Marianne Reabow all had podium finishes and should be the main threats if they took part.

This weekend’s action starts at 7.30am on Sunday morning at the Orient Beach.

As per usual the series will get under way with the Sprint (750m swim, 20km bike and 5km run), and Mini (400m swim, 10km bike and 2.5km run) distances in the first race.

Entries are still open and can be found at Tribal in Beach Road, Nahoon and online at

It’s not every spot in the world that can boast the times that East London can for our local triathlons