Get ready for the Ironman

By Tabisa Mntengwana
15 January 2010

International athletes from as far afield as the UK and the Czech Republic are in East London for the annual Spec-savers Ironman 70.3 Triathlon.

The place to be is on East London’s Esplanade: the strenuous contest sees a 1.9km swim off the Orient Beach, followed by a 90km cycle race, and topped off with a 21km run.

Among the top athletes are last year’s women’s winner Lucie Zelenkova from the Czech Republic, Fraser Cartmel from the UK, as well as South African triathletes James Cunnama and Kent Horner.

Buffalo City’s executive mayor Zukisa Faku said the municipality was grateful to be hosting such international names in our city. “This will once again bring us a weekend of excitement.”

Speaking at a press conference on Friday, 15 January, Cunnama said he was looking forward to the challenge of “competing against a group of great athletes and sportsman”.

Organised by Triangle Events, the Ironman will see the likes of Claire Horner, Heleen bij de Vaate from Netherlands and Sandra Wallenhorst competing.

“This is my first time taking part in the Buffalo City Ironman and I am confident that this is going to be a good race for all of us,” Wallenhorst told the press conference.

The routes

The triathlon starts off with the 1,9km ocean swim in an anticlockwise direction. The swim is made up a various legs of differing distances and several turns.

The cycle race starts at the Esplanade, follows the R72 motorway towards the Nahoon River, turns left to follow the N2 highway towards King William's Town and turns back to East London at the Berlin off-ramp.

First Aid stations will be positioned at the 20km, 45km and 60km marks.

The triathlon ends with the 21km run, with competitors racing down the Esplanade, passed the Orient Theatre and along the eastern Esplanade into John Bailie Road towards Schenker Road. The route turns back on the second loop of the race, which also goes out on to the pier before turning around to the finish line.

There will be three First Aid stations at least two kilometres apart.

The triathlon is sponsored by Buffalo City, Spec-Savers, Daily Dispatch, Virgin Active, Eastern Cape Tourism and Power Bar.