Kick start 2013 with the Spec-Savers IRONMAN 70.3 South Africa

Entries to one of the most anticipated events of the year, the Spec-Savers IRONMAN 70.3 South Africa, are open and are set to stream in over the coming weeks. The event is one of over 50 IRONMAN 70.3 events in the global series and is the only IRONMAN 70.3 on the African continent and takes place on Sunday 20 January 2013 in East London.
 
Having sold out in each of the previous three years, the popularity of the event continues to grow prodigiously with record numbers seen at the 2012 event, making it one of the biggest and most popular races on the IRONMAN 70.3 circuit. Over 3000 athletes entered the race earlier this year and along with the hordes of amateur hopefuls, a host of big-name triathletes have tested themselves at one of the toughest IRONMAN 70.3 challenges anywhere in the world.
 
The course incorporates the breathtaking scenery of the South African Wild Coast with the City closing down a national highway for the bike leg. The bike course is known to be tough and is a formidable challenge for would-be conquerors. For those aiming for top honours, there are 30 Age Group slots on offer for the 2013 IRONMAN World Championship 70.3 in Las Vegas.
 
Current champion, Belgium’s Marino Vanhoenacker, competed in East London for the first time this year. The Belgian is known a strong biker, but even he found the bike course to be challenging. The women’s race was won by former IRONMAN 70.3 world champion, Jodie Swallow who claimed back-to-back Spec-Savers IRONMAN 70.3 South Africa titles having also won in 2011.
 
Individual entry fee is R1725 and team entry fee is R3400 per team. Normal entries close midnight, 2 November 2012. Visit www.ironman703.co.za now to secure your place on the coveted starter’s list.
 
Make the Spec-Savers IRONMAN 70.3 South Africa your first race of 2013 and experience first-hand why so many athletes make the southern tip of Africa their IRONMAN 70.3 destination of choice.