Knysna Big 5 Challenge 2014

So as mentioned in my post Is a Knysna Big 5 Challenge Lite on the cards for 2014?, 2014 sees the introduction of a Knysna Big 5 Challenge Lite.

Where: Knysna
When: 05 – 12 July 2014
Website: www.magneticsouth.net | www.oysterfestival.co.za
Facebook: KnysnaOysterFestival
Twitter: @oysterfestival | @Magnetic_South | @magneticsouth1

Whilst the changes are not quite what I expected or hoped for, they are definitely positive, and represent the popularity and growth of this great sporting challenge. Here are the options for the Big 5 Challenge and the Big 5 Lite:

I still believe the options still favour the cyclists: you can pedal on Saturday and Sunday, and pedal on Thursday — it is still my opinion that the XTERRA course favours MTBers heavily, everyone runs Tuesday, and then cruise through a little half marathon on Saturday. I had hoped that to even things out a little they would have either offered the 50km MTB as an option (in line with the half marathon being an option alongside the full marathon) or man up totally and make the full marathon compulsory and remove the half option.

Additionally, a 100km road cycle does not equal a 20km paddle and certainly not a 1-mile swim.

Obviously, the Lite makes the Challenge accessible to many more athletes and this is very good.

For many keen multi-sporters, one of the most important developments is the inclusion of another water event, and we hope that by next year a water leg will be compulsory. Only then will the Big 5 Challenge be able to claim to be the multi-sport event of the year.