5150 Bela Bela - Bela Bela - Triathlon

The 5150 Bela Bela is a Triathlon race in Bela Bela, consisting of a Sprint.

Bushveld Bash
Bela Bela, in South Africa's Limpopo Province, is a true bushveld getaway. Formerly known as "Warmbaths" the town is known for its natural thermal springs believed to have therapeutic benefits. The bushveld resort setting makes this race the perfect triathlon weekend getaway. With its relaxed family atmosphere and close proximity to Johannesburg and Pretoria, this is the perfect race to enjoy top quality swim, bike, run topped off with a beer and a braai.

The 1500m swim takes place in a purpose built cable ski dam and consists of a one and a three quarter lap in a clockwise direction around the island. The swim starts is in the form of a series of wave starts.

This cable ski is shallow enough to stand in. Although athletes may stand during the swim leg, we do urge them to do so on the periphery of the swim course. They may however NOT walk the swim course.

Historically, over the past 9 years, this has been a wetsuit optional swim with water 17A° C and air temperature around 28A° C.

The bike course consists of two laps on an out and back course through the suburb of Bela Bela and onto a hilly countryside road into the Waterberg, past a game reserve. Athletes cycle out of the main entrance of Warmbaths, Forever Resort. They proceed up Minnaar Avenue, onto Luna Rd, then up Grobler/Robertson Rd. The athletes then continue out on the D10 Alma Road past the two Bela Bela Dams Road. At the turn around point, athletes will backtrack into town, with a turn around at a residential block on Moffat Street, Hospital Street and Luna Road, before heading out of town again on Grobler/Roberson Rd. On the second return to town, 5150 athletes will turn left out of Hospital Street and backtrack to transition via Luna Street and Minnaar Street. There is 364m of climbing over the entire 40km course. The highest elevation on the course is 1301m above sea level.

There are two penalty tents on the course at the 10km / 30km and at 40km. The bike course is non drafting. There is one aid station on the 20km.

The 10km run course consists of two laps of five kilometres each on the premises of Warmbaths, Forever Resort. The route meanders through the camp site and chalets. The run course is fast and flat. There is a mere 17m gain over the entire 10km run course with the start elevation at 1122m above sea level. Loop bands are handed to 5150 athletes at the end of lap 1. Athletes will pass an aid stations six times over the length of the course