We regret to advise that EventPro, the organisers of the Ironman South Africa triathlon, have postponed the event to 2003.
The Ironman South Africa triathlon has become the latest major international event being held in South Africa to be postponed as a result of the Rand’s (the South African currency) dramatic loss of value in the past year.
According to EventPro, it has become exceedingly difficult to organise an event of international stature in South Africa where income and sponsorship are derived locally, but sanctioning fees, prize money and other costs are paid in hard currencies.
‘The Rand’s weakness as an international currency places a new burden on race organisers. We have to look at multi-national companies as sponsors for the international events held in South Africa’, said Gerhard Mynhardt, the organiser of the event.
Known as the toughest one-day endurance event in the world, the Ironman triathlon comprises a 3.8 km swim, 180 km cycle and a 42.2 km run within a 17-hour cut-off time. Ironman South Africa grew rapidly in its first 2 years, with competitors from 35 countries participating in the 2001 event.
On that basis the Ironman South Africa triathlon already achieved an important status as one of the top international sporting events held in South Africa. The events were televised around the world. In addition a television crew from Germany produced a special broadcast of the 2001 event for the largest German television channel.
Gerhard Mynhardt said that the postponement was extremely disappointing, especially in view of the increase in the international interest in the Ironman South Africa triathlon. ‘We were expecting some of the very best international Ironman triathletes to compete.
A great many South Africans were also preparing to race, resulting in an estimated 50% increase in the size of the field. In fact, I am confident that Ironman South Africa would have grown to one of the largest Ironman races outside of North America’.
The postponement is a disappointment to South Africans who love endurance events, such as the Comrades, the Two Oceans and the Argus cycling tour. The Ironman phenomenon has established itself in South Africa resulting in the event moving into the top echelon of the country’s sporting events.
World Triathlon Corporation will re-allocate the 40 Ironman slots that were available through Ironman South Africa. Plans to stage a South African Ironman in 2003 are underway.
For further information please contact:
Ironman South Africa
T: (011) 807 1486/7/8/9