5th IRONMAN TRIATHLON SOUTH AFRICA
PORT ELIZABETH - 5th APRIL 2009
...the only Ironman event held on the African continent
...3.8 km ocean swim + 180 km cycle + 42.2 km run
ONE OF THE MOST EXITING TRIATHLON EVENTS OF THE WORLD
The IRONMAN South Africa is one out of 23 triathlons baring the IRONMAN trademark and one of the biggest worldwide (next to the Ironman Austria, an event which we also distribute for TV).
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It is a race that pushes the human body and spirit to the limit and still requires it to go further than thought possible. It is a race that leaves one with a new found respect for the human spirit.
The IRONMAN is a long distance triathlon combining the world's three most popular sports disciplines: Starting with 3.8 km of swimming, the athletes have to bike for 180 km and run a marathon of 42.195 km before crossing the finish line.
We are in for a great race this year with five defending Ironman Champions:
Raynard Tissink (RSA) – 1st Ironman South Africa 2006
Gerrit Schellens (BEL)– 1st Ironman South Africa 2007
Stephen Bayliss (GBR) – 1st Ironman South Africa 2008
Marino Vanhoeneker (BEL) – 1st Ironman Austria 2006, 2007, 2008
Bella Bayliss-Comerford (GBR) will be back as well to defend her 2008 title.
R10 000 will be awarded to any athlete who manages to break the record in either the swim, cycle or run leg of the Spec-Savers Ironman South Africa. This provides added incentive for athletes who are extremely strong in a particular discipline but often end up finishing off the podium.
BATTLING FOR TOP HONORS AT THE VIBRANT NELSON MANDELA BAY
Francois Jacobs (RSA) and Jurie Krige (RSA) will be back in the Bay on the 5th April to chalk up their second Spec-Savers Ironman SA finish. The duo gained our respect in 2008 when they make history as the first blind athlete and guide to complete the South African Ironman. Since then the Ironman bug has bitten and they have been down under to take part in Ironman Western Australia.
Kevin Diedricks (RSA) and Sean Evans (RSA) are giving eight mentally and physically challenged children from the Carpe Diem School in George a chance to take part at the Ironman event. Sean Evans is carting one of the mentally and physically challenged children on a sit-on-top kayak. At each lap in each discipline, the children will be swapped in order to allow all eight children the opportunity to encounter either the swim, cycle, or run.
QUICK FACTS:
- History: 1978 1st Ironman triathlon in Hawaii
- Ironman brand owner: WTC – World Triathlon Corporation
- Number of Races: 23 throughout the world
- Date: 5 April 2009
- Place: Port Elizabeth, South Africa
- Swim/Distances: 3.8km – 2 loops / Hobie Beach
- Bike Circuit/Distances: 180km – 3 x 60km / PE Surrounds
- Run / Distances: 42.2km – 3 loops / Marine Drive
- Winner’s Time for 2008: Men: Stephen Bayliss (GBR) 8:18:23
Ladies: Bella Comerford (GBR) 9:27:48 - Winner’s Time for 2007: Men: Gerrit Schellens (BEL) 8:33:05
Ladies: Natascha Badmann (CHF) 9:22:01 - Number of Participants: 1525
- Number of Nations: 37
- Number of Volunteers: approximately 1500
- Number of Spectators: approximately 35 000
- Prize Money: 50 000 US Dollars + 30 slots for Ironman WC Hawaii
- Budget: 10 Million Rand
Spec-Savers IRONMAN South Africa Triathlon, is officially recognised by the World Triathlon Corporation (WTC), South African Triathlon Corporation (Pty) Ltd (SATC) as a calendar event.
Next event: 25th April 2010
» For further information please visit www.ironmansouthafrica.com
