2012 – Year of the Ironman!
02 February 2012
Momentum is starting to grow for the Spec-Savers Ironman South Africa, on Sunday 22 April 2012, hot off the heels of a successful half-Ironman, the Spec-Savers Ironman 70.3 South Africa, in East London on January 22.
“The Spec-Savers Ironman South Africa grows in popularity and shows no signs of slowing down,” said Keith Bowler, Ironman South Africa managing director.
In 2011 close on 1800 athletes took on the gruelling 3,8km swim, 180km bike and 42,2km run starting at Hobie Beach, weaving in and out of the Friendly City before finishing at Hobie Beach under the famed Ironman South Africa finisher arch.
Raynard Tissink and Chrissie Wellington set the event alight with record breaking performances. “This year the gladiators of the Ironman arena will once again provide some epic tussles in their quest for African Ironman dominance,” said Bowler.
“We can expect near 2000 athletes at the only Ironman on African soil hailing from more than 30 nations with the majority of the South African contingent coming from Gauteng and the Eastern Cape.
“Each year the Spec-Savers Ironman South Africa turns Nelson Mandela Bay into a veritable cauldron of excitement as race day becomes a 17-hour long party and celebration of the human spirit. We can expect around 50 000 spectators over the weekend with crowds lining up along the course to spur the athletes on.”
Ironman South Africa continues to showcase Nelson Mandela Bay as a world class sporting and holiday destination and to attract athletes from across the globe.
“The Ironman is one of the highlights of the city’s sporting events calendar,” said Mandlakazi Skefile, Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism chief executive. “Not only does it become a tangible experience of the power of the human spirit, it also injects the city with thousands of tourists and the resultant economic spinoffs that come from that.
“It is literally a win-win event for everyone involved – from the athletes, who can call themselves Ironmen on completion of the race, to the supporters who bear witness to incredible feats of human endurance and draw inspiration from the experience, to the tourism industry which also wins in supporting all the athletes and their travelling entourages.”
“The event also accommodates the entire family with a full weekend of activities that will suit everyone, adding to our promotion of Nelson Mandela Bay as a family destination.”
Nelson Mandela Bay’s second Iron Girl South Africa Fun Run takes place on Friday 20 April 2012 with numbers expected to rise above the 700 mark. This fun event is a 10km fun run along Katie’s Walk and promotes a healthy, active lifestyle in women of all fitness levels. Athletes compete either individually or as part of a mother-daughter team. For more information and to enter visit www.irongirl.co.za.
The Vodacom Corporate Triathlon Challenge – 10% of the distance of the full Ironman – kicks off on April 21 with athletes swimming 380m, biking 18km and running 4,2km. This challenge can be completed as part of a corporate or school team or as an individual completing all three legs. This immensely popular event attracts around 1500 athletes each year and is one of the most sought after corporate events in the country. For more information and to enter visit www.corporatechallenge.co.za.
The world’s biggest IronKids event, the Pritt IronKids, takes place on Saturday afternoon from McArthur’s Pool and Leisure Centre and finishes on the very same finish line that the children’s Ironman heroes and heroines cross the next day. Close to 1000 children are in for the time of their lives in this aquathon which consists of swim and run components. The children in the 6 – 9 age category swim 60m and run 1.2km while those in the 10 – 13 age category swim 100m and run 2km. For more information and to enter visit www.ironkids.co.za.
“With all this on the go, there is no doubt we are in for the Year of the Ironman,” quipped Skefile.
For more information and to enter visit www.ironmansouthafrica.co.za .
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