PLAISIR SHORT

OVERVIEW

The Plaisir Short is your perfect introduction to the SwimRun format. Same stunning dam swimming and trail running as the Long, but shorter and more accessible. Three beautiful transitions between cool freshwater dam and scenic vineyard trails.

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. Run 32.27km

   Plaisir EasyUp · Akkerboom Kloof

   Dam 2 exit → Dam 5

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   The Short course shares the start of this run with the Long — up the Plaisir EasyUp singletrack, a gentle gradient winding alongside the river. But where the Long course turns left to climb higher into the farm, the Short takes a hard right. A shortcut through open veld cuts away from the upper sections of the course and brings you into the Akkerboom Kloof singletrack, where you rejoin the Long course for the last flowing stretch of this beautiful trail — fast and downhill all the way to the final swim.

6. Swim 3230m

   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.

7. Run 41.18km

   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.

ROUTE MAP

RACE PHOTOS