St Francis Bay and surrounding areas will once again be a hive of activity when the 17th annual St Francis Summer Sport Series 2023 kicks off on 18 December. A total of 9 events will take place until the 30th of December, consisting of running, cycling, swimming and some paddling.

The series will kick off with the Seal Point Estate Coastal Trail Run between Cape St Francis and Oyster Bay on the 18th of December. The 21km distance is open to walkers as well, provided they reach the cut off at Thysbaai before 10h30. The finish is at the Oyster Bay Beach Lodge. No dogs are allowed and participants must provide their own transport, and entries are limited to 100.

The CSF Resort Road Run is second up on Tuesday the 19th, with a 5km and 10km distance on offer. As this route goes through the St Francis Field, once again no dogs are allowed, but walkers are welcome.

On Wednesday the 20th of December action moves to the St Francis canals, but the venue is this year at The Cove. The River Club’s Swim/Run Duathlon consists of two distances, a 500m swim and 4km run, or 1km swim and 6km run. Participation can be as individuals or in teams.

Another Duathlon is set for Thursday 21 December, when the Village Square MTB & Trail Run Duathlon this year will start and finish at the Dune Ridge Country House. Two distances can be chosen, 5km run and 15km cycle, or 10km run and 30km cycle, once again available to teams as well.

The popular TCS Sand River Trail Run will see runners and walkers enjoy the dunes of the Sand River, and running through water pools can be expected. Distances to choose from is 5km (no dunefield), 14km and 21km. Due to the sensitivity of the area and wildlife present, no dogs are allowed.

On the 27th of December the Blue Abyss Canal Swim will see swimmers competing in 500m, 1km, 2km and 3km, and with the start and finish at The Cove, no loops are required, as all the distances will have one out and back route.

On the 28th, with the next 4 days as reserve days, the Just Properties Living Open Water Swim will start at 16h00 from Port St Francis, and finish at the Granny’s Pool. Each swimmer should have an accompanying paddler, and the 2,3 distance is only available in the Open category.

One the 29th the popular Pam Golding Properties Quadrathlon will boast with a new discipline, as the road cycle has been dropped for a much safer 1km SUP or any kind of body board. The event will start with the 500m swim, followed by a 1km SUP, a 5km road run and finally the 3km paddle. The event starts and finishes at The Cove.

A series entry is available at R600 for 9 events, giving you a saving as well as a chance to win a spot on either the Baviaans Cycle Tour or Baviaans Camino. One lucky male and one lucky female will win this prize.

Entry fee for individual events are R130 for adults and u/18’s and R100 for u/14’s. Online entries are open via www.stfrancissport.co.za on EntryNinja.

Top 3 contenders in each age category will receive a medal. Race numbers can be collected one hour before the race from the registration table and race briefing is 15 minutes before the start. NO NUMBER, NO PARTICIPATION

The full programme is available on www.stfrancissport.co.za, or whatsapp Esti Stewart on 073 825 0835.

St Francis Sport wants to thank Port St Francis, the St Francis Riparian Committee, St Francis Links, Mostertshoek, St Francis Field, Rebels Rus, Thula Moya, and Eskom for the use of their land, as well as Custom Construction, The River Club, Pam Golding Properties, Blue Abyss Breath, Seal Point Estates, Village Square Superspar, TCS, Just Property Lifestyle and the Cape St Francis Resort for sponsoring events.

Date: Monday 18 December 2023

Time: 08h00 (race briefing 07h45)

Distance: 21km

Venue: Sunset Rock Car Park, Cape St Francis, finish Oyster Bay Beach Lodge.

Contact: Esti Stewart 073 825 0835

Age category: Open Only

Date: Tuesday, 19 December 2023

Time: 08:00 (race briefing 07h45)

Distances: 5km or 10km

Venue: Cape St Francis Resort, Da Gama Road, Cape St Francis

Contact: Esti Stewart 073 825 0835

Date: Wednesday 20 December 2023

Time: 08:00 (race briefing 07h45)

Distances: 500m swim & 5km run or 1km swim and 8km run – teams or individuals

Venue: The Cove, Shore Road, St Francis Bay

Contact: Esti Stewart 073 825 0835

Date: Thursday 21 December 2023

Time: 08:00 (race briefing 07h45)

Distances: 5km run & 15km MTB or 10km run & 30km MTB – teams or individuals

Venue: Dune Ridge Country House Entrance, Tarragona Ave, St Francis Bay

Contact: Esti Stewart 073 825 0835

Friday 22 December 2023

Time: 08:00 (race briefing 07h45)

Distance: 5km, 14km, 20km

Venue: Dune Ridge Country House Entrance, Tarragona Ave, St Francis Bay

Contact: Esti Stewart 073 825 0835

Date: Wednesday 27 December 2023

Time: 08:00 (race briefing 07h45)

Distances: bank2bank (under 10’s), 500m, 1km, 2km, 3km (Open only)

Venue: The Cove, Shore Road, St Francis Bay

Contact: Esti Stewart 073 825 0835

Date: Thursday 28 December 2023 (Reserve days 29, 30, 31 December)

Time: 16:00 (race briefing 15h30)

Distance: 2,3km Start at Port St Francis, finish at Granny’s Pool, St Francis Bay

Venue: Port St Francis, Triton Ave (start), Granny’s Pool, Harbour Road (finish), St Francis

Bay.

Contact: Esti Stewart 073 825 0835

Age category: Open only

Date: Friday 29 December 2023

Time: 08:00 (race briefing 07h45)

Distances: 500m swim, 1km SUP/Malibu/Paddle/Surf Board, 5km run, 3km paddle – teams or individuals

Venue: The Cove, Shore Road, St Francis Bay

Contact: Esti Stewart 073 825 0835

Date: Saturday 30 December 2023

Time: 08:00 (race briefing 07h45)

Distance: 15km or 30km

Venue: Dune Ridge Country House Entrance, Tarragona Ave, St Francis Bay.

Contact: Esti Stewart 073 825 0835

Entry fee: R130 Open & U/18, R100 U/14. Series entry fee: R600 pp

Online entries on www.stfrancissport.co.za