By Nangamso Mabindla
26 July 2007

IRONMAN is the buzzword in Buffalo City, following the announcement that East London would host the international Ironman 70.3 competition on 13 January 2008.

And with the city counting down the days to the biggest event to hit East London in years, the municipality and its partners are already up to speed with their preparations.

Buffalo City's sister municipality, the Nelson Mandela Metro, is holding the full Ironman event, making Eastern Province the official African host of the international Ironman triathlon.

The full Ironman is a 3,8km swim, a 180km cycle and a 42,2km run; the half Ironman is a 1,9km swim, a 90km cycle and a 21,1km run. The event, which attracts athletes and fans from as far afield as Europe and America, promises to bring revenue and international coverage to Buffalo City.

Next year, 20 000 spectators, a thousand athletes, 2 500 guests travelling with athletes, 600 volunteers and 50 journalists covering the event are expected.

The member of the mayoral committee for community services, health and safety, Mankomo Pango, said that now that the City had won the rights to host the half Ironman, it was on track with its preparations.

"We have at least six months to prepare and we have already set up our internal structures. A steering committee that will comprise of all key stakeholders from the sporting fraternity and partners, including councillors, the provincial government and business people will be set up as a matter of urgency," she said.

"A technical team comprising of our officials and the BCM Sports Club has already been established under the leadership of the director of community services. We want to have an all-inclusive, successful event."

Pango said the City was also working closely with the official Ironman organisers, Port Elizabeth's Triangle South Africa. "Working with Triangle, and the various departments involved, we will identify the routes for the event. The starting point will be Orient Beach in East London."

Buffalo City was also exploring the possibility of establishing a development team to take part in the triathlon, with athletes coming from its disadvantaged areas.

"We are hoping that these teams will be nurtured, assisted and subsidised by the municipality. We also hope that sponsors and donors will come up with strategies like sponsoring a team from a particular area and so on," Pango explained.

"We have lots of skills in our areas, and we hope that together with our partners we can discover and develop potential talent within our municipality."

She called on people to make themselves available and to volunteer and assist in making the Ironman 70.3 a success.

The agreement to host the event will be signed by Triangle and Buffalo City at 2pm on Friday, 27 July, at Orient Beach.