A TOTAL of 2 000 athletes have registered for this year's SpecSavers Ironman 70.3 South Africa, taking place on Sunday, 17 January at Orient Beach.

A number of international and national athletes will arrive in town next week to compete in the annual competition. They include South African James Cunnama, Czechoslovakian Lucie Zelenkova, who won the ladies' race in 2009, and German-born Sandra Wallenhorst.

The reigning champion, Raynard Tissink, will not be making it to this year's race because of injury. According to the Ironman organisers, Triangle Events South Africa, he fell off his motor bike while he was doing some off-road biking and "twisted his ankle very badly and damaged his Achilles".

"I am very disappointed at not being able to defend my title for a third time. This is an awesome race with a route that really suits my strengths, so I would have loved to [have been] out there on race day," he said.

"I'm sure that James Cunnama will still keep the South African flag flying high."

Tissink would do his bit for the local athletes from the sidelines, attending the event as a spectator, according to a press statement released by the organisers.

Welcoming athletes and supporters on behalf of the council, Executive Mayor Zukisa Faku said: "Buffalo City can assure you [visitors] that together with the [support of the] organisers, Triangle Events South Africa, the sponsors, local business support and the enthusiastic sporting community of our city, the 2010 Ironman 70.3 will once again be a memorable event."

The triathlon kicks off with a 1,9km ocean swim in an anticlockwise direction. The swim's first leg is 300 metres long - the buoy must be rounded on the right side, after turning left at the buoy the next leg is 700 metres - the buoy must also be passed on the right hand side on this leg.

The third leg is 200 metres long and the final leg before the exit to the beach is 500 metres long; the exit is 200 metres long. Each athlete was expected to have the ability to complete the swim, said the organisers.

Following the swim is a 90km cycle which starts at the Esplanade on the beach front. The route follows the R72 motorway towards Nahoon River, turning left to follow the N2 highway towards King William's Town. The turning point is at the Berlin off-ramp.

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

The triathlon concludes with a 21km run after the cycle. Competitors run down the Esplanade, passed the Orient Theatre and along the eastern Esplanade up 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 aid stations at least two kilometres apart.