Blue Grade

PLAISIR LONG

Plaisir, Franschhoek

Fri 24 Sep 2027

Individual

12km total

1km swimming (5x)

11km running (6x)

OVERVIEW

The full Plaisir experience. Warm Winelands dam swimming, vineyard singletrack, and views of the Simonsberg and Groot Drakenstein mountains. Heritage Day at its most wildlycool — the Long course is the ultimate Blue Grade adventure in the Cape Winelands.

RACE SEGMENTS

11 legs · scroll →

Run 11.64km
Trailhead
Torpedo Race Hub → Dam 1
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Starting from the Torpedo Race Hub at the Plaisir Food Barn, where both the long and short routes start and finish, and there are plenty of toilets, key drop, bag storage, and coffee to get the day going. The route heads up across open grass fields, sorting the racing snakes from the good-timers, before opening onto fast farm tar and dirt roads heading towards the first swim. Those wanting to be competitive will need to make sure they're upfront before a very steep, sharp climb up the dam wall and a short run along the dual track on top — the last jostling for positions before Swim 1.
Swim 1300m
The Cab Sav Swim
Dam 1 entry → Dam 1 exit
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A beautiful swim across fresh mountain water so clean you could drink it as you swim. Crystal clear and refreshing, with lifesavers on boards throughout. Welcome to Torpedo Plaisir.
Run 20.48km
Dam Wall Run
Dam 1 exit → Dam 2
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A short scramble out of the dam and a quick hop along the dam wall to Swim 2. There's barely enough time to get your heart rate down — but for those taking it easy, there's a great view as you run between the two dams.
Swim 2240m
The Shiraz Surge
Dam 2 entry → Dam 2 exit
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Another crystal-clear farm dam swim across beautiful Plaisir mountain water. Fast, clear, and fully supported with water safety throughout.
Run 31.55km
Plaisir EasyUp
Dam 2 exit → Dam 3
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By now the field has sorted itself out and the congestion is gone. Time to hit the Plaisir EasyUp singletrack — a gentle gradient winding up alongside the river, one of the most enjoyable stretches of the race. A left-hand turn flattens things out and leads you to the shortest swim of the day.
Swim 3150m
The Merlot Moment
Dam 3 entry → Dam 3 exit
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Fleeting and special, like the swim itself — but don't be fooled, a little mud at the exit is all part of the fun.
Run 41.25km
Black Climb Up XL
Dam 3 exit → Dam 4
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The biggest climb of the race. Loose underfoot and rocky, running up along the Boschendal fence line on the Black Climb Up XL. This one sorts the legs out. The reward is the highest dam on the farm.
Swim 4100m
The Sauvignon Splash
Dam 4 entry → Dam 4 exit
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The highest dam on the course, set against the backdrop of the Simonsberg mountain. Short, but with a technical rock entry and a rocky exit — if you're used to triathlon transitions, this one is considerably more exciting.
Run 54.54km
GrootRivier · Cape Holly · Picnic Trail · Akkerboom Kloof
Dam 4 exit → Dam 5
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A slight downhill opens into the GrootRivier and Cape Holly trails — twisting, technical, and utterly beautiful as you climb alongside a mountain stream towards the highest point of the course. The trail opens onto farm roads at the top of the vineyard. One last kicker to the summit, and then you stop. The whole Winelands stretches out below you — all five dams visible, and Paarl Rock in the distance. Then it's your reward: the Picnic Trail and Akkerboom Kloof, fast and flowing, over little wooden bridges and down through manicured singletrack all the way to the final swim.
Swim 5230m
The Grand Plaisir Plunge
Dam 5 entry → Dam 5 exit
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All three courses — Long, Short, and Kids — reunite here for the final swim. The most celebrated moment on the course. Make it count.
Run 61.18km
Meulstroom
Dam 5 exit → Finish line
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All downhill. The Meulstroom Trail winds through the Plaisir vineyards and delivers you straight back to the Food Barn. The finish line, Heritage day food and drink, and the bragging rights are waiting.