By Nangamso Mabindla
7 January 2008

THE inaugural Spec-Savers Ironman 70.3 tri-athlon was launched in East London on Friday, 4 January.

Organised by Triangle South Africa, Ironman is a grueling endurance race made up of three events - swimming, cycling and a marathon. It's also the fastest growing sport in the world.

The actual event takes place in East London on 13 January.

The launch of the first Ironman 70.3 to be hosted in Africa was attended by Buffalo City councillors, Triangle and international German tri-athlete Kostantin Bachor, the first athlete to arrive for the event which will be held in the city on 13 January.

Speaking at the launch, the member of the mayoral committee for community services, Mankomo Pango, said that the City was proud to be associated with the Ironman.

"When Triangle approached us about the possibility of hosting the 70.3 race, we grabbed the opportunity with both hands. We are happy to be here to launch this event [which will] be hosted by the City for the next three years," Pango said.

A successful hosting of Ironman and the R4-million South African Tennis Open in February would show that Buffalo City was ready to be a base camp for the 2010 Fifa World Cup™.

Preparations for the prestigious Ironman 70.3 were already visible, with a footbridge across the Esplanade already being erected on Friday. Containers with equipment have also arrived in East London.

Triangle director Keith Bowles said that out of the 30 Ironman 70.3 events around the world, Buffalo City's would be one of the biggest.

"We have over 800 people registered to take part in Ironman - we have 736 individuals, 46 teams and 27 international athletes. The Eastern Cape has the biggest number of entries," Bowles said, adding that Buffalo City officials and councillors would also showcase their skills on Sunday.

In addition, South Africa's top tri-athlete, Raynard Tissink, would arrive this week for his first-ever race in East London.