Nelson Mandela Bay welcomes a new Ironman 70.3 Race

IRONMAN announced today that it will add a brand-new event to its 2022 race calendar with the IRONMAN^® 70.3^® Nelson Mandela Bay in South Africa. The inaugural IRONMAN 70.3 Nelson Mandela Bay triathlon will take place on Sunday, April 3, 2022, alongside the IRONMAN African Championship. General Registration will open on Wednesday, November 24, 2021.

Renowned around the world as an iconic triathlon destination as the host of the IRONMAN African Championship, Nelson Mandela Bay also has a strong history of IRONMAN racing. The very first IRONMAN branded event in the city was an IRONMAN 70.3 half-distance event in 2004 ahead of the first IRONMAN South Africa full-distance event in 2005. In 2018, the city also hosted the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship further cementing its status as an international triathlon destination of choice and showcasing why Nelson Mandela Bay is an ideal sporting destination.

The addition of the new IRONMAN 70.3 Nelson Mandela Bay adds yet another exciting element to one of the most anticipated annual sporting weekends in the city. The IRONMAN race weekend starts with the popular short course triathlon, the Isuzu Corporate Triathlon Challenge powered by Algoa FM, taking place the day before the main event. The inaugural IRONMAN 70.3 Nelson Mandela Bay becomes the third triathlon event to be scheduled on the exciting weekend of racing and will take place on the same day as the IRONMAN African Championship.

“Nelson Mandela Bay has always been the home of IRONMAN in South Africa, and we are delighted to be adding an IRONMAN 70.3 event which will take place on the same day as the IRONMAN African Championship. After recently announcing the addition of IRONMAN 70.3 Mossel Bay to our 2022 race calendar, this announcement further broadens our event offerings in South Africa,” said Keith Bowler, Managing Director of IRONMAN South Africa. “We have a strong relationship with Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality and are excited to add a new event to our great partnership.”

Athletes taking part in the IRONMAN 70.3 Nelson Mandela Bay can expect a scenic race course along the Indian Ocean coastline. The 1.9km swim course will take place at King’s Beach, where the memorable 2018 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship swim took place. Athletes will then take on a 90km one loop bike course leading into the city and back through the Bay’s beautiful coastline returning to transition at King’s Beach. Lastly, athletes will take on a two-loop spectator friendly run course up and down Marine Drive along the beachfront, finishing at Hobie Beach opposite the iconic Pier.

“For over a decade, it has been a proud tradition that Nelson Mandela Bay hosts the IRONMAN African Championship. Triathletes love our temperate climate, breathtaking courses and scenic beauty, while the citizens of Nelson Mandela Bay flock to watch this adrenaline-charged sport,” adds, Executive Mayor of Nelson Mandela Bay, Nqaba Banga. “We are excited and gratified by the addition of another international triathlon event, the IRONMAN 70.3 Nelson Mandela Bay international triathlon to our 2022 sporting calendar. This will further solidify the strong links between the city and the incredible sport of triathlon.”

Banga continued, “Best wishes to all the triathletes who are in training for the IRONMAN African Championship on November 21, 2021. Whether we will see you in 2021 or 2022, we can’t wait to welcome you. May the beautiful Bay be the place where your sporting dreams come true!”

IRONMAN 70.3 Nelson Mandela Bay will be an age-group race and will offer qualifying slots to the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship.