The 2012 Spec-Savers Ironman 70.3 South Africa event has now officially reached its largest field size since its inception in 2008. The international Ironman 70.3 series consists of over 50 races around the globe. According to Ironman brand owner World Triathlon Corp (WTC), for the Spec-Savers Ironman 70.3 South Africa to now be one of the biggest in the world is testament to the level of organisation, professionalism of the organisers, quality of the event as well as the attraction of the Eastern Cape and Buffalo City region.
On 22 January 2012, East London, in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality of the Eastern Cape province is the setting for Spec–Savers Ironman 70.3 South Africa. Close to 3,000 athletes will take on the event’s 1.9K swim, 90.1K and 21.1K run. The event includes 30 qualifying slots for the 2012 Ironman World Championship 70.3 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Athletes come from far and wide to take part in the Spec-Savers Ironman 70.3 South Africa event and the 2012 field is no exception. The 2012 edition features 37 different nationalities ranging from East London locals to as far afield as Yemen. Unsurprisingly the field is dominated by South African athletes, 2,789 of them, followed by 44 from the United Kingdom and 15 from the United States of America.
The majority of the local field hail from Gauteng, with 1,352 athletes, followed by the Eastern Cape with 613 and Western Cape with 508. Being Africa’s only Ironman 70.3 event, Motherland athletes will always call this event their own – with athletes from five African nations represented.
“We are extremely proud to have achieved this milestone and to have done so on the fifth anniversary of the event makes it all the more remarkable,” said Keith Bowler, Managing Director of World Endurance South Africa.
“We’ve always strived to stage an event of the highest quality, offering athletes the best possible experience both on and off the course. This is a special accolade not only for us but also for the host city, Buffalo City and our title sponsor, Spec-Savers, for being fully behind the event since its inception allowing it to flourish to see the heights it so deservedly today occupies.”
Bowler added, “For an event such as ours to display such prodigious growth amidst the tough economic climate is truly phenomenal and speaks volumes for the stature in which the event is seen by athletes. We sincerely hope that the event goes from strength to strength and continues to garner such interest and enthusiasm from athletes and spectators alike.”
Bryan Dowley, CEO of Spec-Savers, said “We shared the vision with the organisers that this event would one day rank among the top events on the global Ironman 70.3 calendar and to see this vision come to realisation is truly a proud moment. We constantly strive for differentiators in our business and we will continue to work with the organisers to maintain and enhance the world class stature of this event.”
