Athletes set for battle of beaches
Swimmers will be raring to go in Nelson Mandela Bay’s unique duathlon event, which will show off the four main metro beaches, on Sunday.
The Pollok, Hobie, Humewood and Kings beaches are all stops on the relay-style duathlon known as the City Lodge 3 Beaches Challenge.
Competitors will enter the water at Pollok, exit and clock in at Hobie and Humewood beaches, before finishing the swim at Kings Beach.
For those brave competitors who will be competing individually, there is a 3km run to finish with as they make their way back to Pollok Beach, running along the beachfront.
The swim legs of 1.6km, 0.8km and 1.1km offer the opportunity for different levels of swimmers to tackle the challenge, with more experienced swimmers in a team perhaps taking on the tougher first leg.
Non-swimmers also get an opportunity to take part by doing the run section for a team or a swim-only competitor.
Port Elizabeth Town Lodge general manager Glenn Pappin said the event had a unique feel to it.
“I believe the 3 Beaches Challenge is something differ- ent from your average fun run or swim event and this has contributed hugely to the event’s growth.”
Recent River Mile winner Slater Black will be itching to get back to the site where he claimed the 3 Beaches title last year.
He will, however, have his hands full against a competitive field.
The 3 Beaches Challenge starts at 9am at Pollok Beach.