By Nangamso Mabindla
10 July 2007

IT'S official - the Eastern Cape is the Ironman capital of Africa, following the announcement that Buffalo City will be the next host of the prestigious event.

The Ironman 70,3 South Africa, a half Ironman, will take place in East London early in 2008, it was announced at a gala dinner in Austria. Austria hosted the most recent Ironman, an international competition for triathletes.

Executive Mayor Zintle Peter; a councillor, Mankomo Pango; the municipal manager, Gaster Sharpley; the director of community services, Wendy Maqekeza-Galada; and the director of mayoral services, Vuyo Zambodla, attended the dinner.

Ironman is a gruelling endurance race made up of three events - swimming, cycling and a marathon.

The City's sister municipality, the Nelson Mandela Metro, already hosts the full Ironman, which comprises of a 3,8km swim, a 180km cycle and a 42,2km run. In the half Ironman athletes compete in a 1,9km swim, a 90km cycle and a 21,1 km run. About 1 000 athletes from as far afield as Europe and the United States are expected to compete.

With Buffalo City hosting the shorter version, the province will be the sole hosts of an event that brings with it international athletes and tourists. The City's communications manager, Darby Gounden, said she was excited about the prospect of hosting the Ironman.

"We are all excited about being given the opportunity to host this prestigious event and we will do everything in our power to make sure that it is a success."

Gounden said Ironman 70,3 South Africa would kick-off in East London on 13 January 2008