Ironman fever grips city

HOME to the only full Ironman contest on the African continent, Nelson Mandela Bay has emerged as the ‘Ironman City of Africa’, meaning that each year anticipation around the event grows, with the eighth installment of the official Ironman racing closer on Sunday April 22.

“Hosting the Ironman each year is more than a privilege for our city, it is an honour. It’s a world-class event supported and respected by all athletes. We always have a lot to look forward to as the event grows year-on-year,” said Titus Chuene marketing manager of Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism (NMBT). “The Ironman event has entrenched itself in the heart of the city.”

Making its first foray into Africa in 2004 with the first half-Ironman in Port Elizabeth, the field was small with 420 athletes competing. The pilot Ironman worked – and was followed in 2005 with the first full-Ironman with over 800 athletes joining the race. The entries have doubled in six years and this year Ironman organisers expect over 1700 entries for the main event.

“With nearly 30 Ironman events around the world, the Ironman brand transcends cultural and geographical boundaries as athletes forge an instant bond no matter where they are in the world. The fact that over 40 000 spectators flock to the beachfront to witness the event is testament to the fact that the people of Nelson Mandela Bay have adopted this event as their own and are proud to have it in their city,” said Michael Flanagan, Ironman South Africa media coordinator.

The main event has three legs consisting of a 3,8km swim, 180km bike-ride followed by a full 42,2km marathon, making it an intimidating competition. It is a highly regarded achievement to have finished Ironman and well worth the sweat, added Flanagan.

Top local athlete and Ironman Alec Riddle, who won the 2011 Ironman World Championship in his age-group last year, said that Ironman changes people’s lives. “I have utilised Ironman to help transform my life after I fell asleep at the wheel of life and lost my way somewhat. I have lost 25kg and feel energised and confident, but it is the discipline it engenders that has helped in other facets of my life,” said Riddle, a financial planner. He recommends the life-changing effects of Ironman for both those who participate and those who support on the day.

The overwhelming support of Ironman South Africa quickly led to popular side events like The Pritt IronKids and the Corporate Triathlon Challenge in 2007. These events both take place the Saturday before the main race. The latest edition to the group is Iron Girl South Africa, which saw its inaugural event take place in April 2011.

“The Pritt IronKids is the biggest IronKids event in the world with 1000 children entered every year. The event has readily sold out and reached its limit of 1000 for the past 3 years. The Vodacom Corporate Triathlon Challenge has also seen numbers increase each year with around 1500 athletes in total,” said Flanagan.

He said there has been a tremendous response to Iron Girl South Africa, which took place for the first time in East London in 2011 with around 400 athletes thereafter making its Port Elizabeth debut in April 2011 with around 700 athletes. It is expecting over 1000 entrants this year.

Around 45 000 spectators flock to Hobie Beach over the course of the weekend to see the spectacular talent and share in the spirit, excitement and fanfare the event annually brings to Nelson Mandela Bay. Also, 17 hours of non-stop entertainment makes the Spec-Savers Ironman South Africa one of the biggest crowd attractions anywhere in Nelson Mandela Bay.

“Ironman is a big deal in the city – for spectators and competitors alike. The festivities bring thousands of people to Hobie beach to join in the fun, even if only from the sidelines. But it is also great for tourism as many contestants travel from various different countries to take part in Ironman South Africa here in the bay,” said Chuene.

The event is host to athletes from 45 different nations this year and has seen the same kind of enthusiasm from foreigners previous years.

Apart from the race action itself, the event is encompassed by smaller events associated with it: “The pre-race Pasta Evening taking place the Friday before the race provides an opportunity for athletes to do some ‘carbo-loading’ before Sunday’s spectacle, but also to socialise and get into the spirit of the weekend. The prestigious Awards Ceremony takes place the day after the race where laud and honour is bestowed on those who excelled on the course,” Flanagan said.

A Health and Fitness Expo will also be open during race week featuring the “latest and greatest from the triathlon world” along with expert advice.

Road closure on Marine Drive and Buffelsfontein will start Sunday morning 5am to 5:30pm with crossovers at designated areas. Full road closure will be taking place for the same timeframe for the route from Mount Pleasant to Kini Bay and back to Hobie beach. These roads include Seaview Road, Heron Road, Sardinia Bay Road, Victoria Drive and Marine Drive. Marine Drive from NMMU’s back gate to Driftsand Drive will be closed until midnight.