Detailed Ironman plans outlined

MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Mossel Bay is the newcomer on the 2022 global race calendar, with the Ironman 70.3 triathlon to be hosted in town on Sunday, 6 November.

On 22 July, Werner Smit from the Ironman Group presented detailed plans to municipal officials for this exciting event, to be held in Mossel Bay for the first time.

The event, says Smit, will draw between 7 000 and 8 000 people to Mossel Bay. Currently 2 606 athletes have entered. This includes an 84-year-old male athlete.

Athletes participating in Ironman 70.3 Mossel Bay will take on a 1.9km (1.2 mile) swim, beginning opposite the iconic Santos Beach Pavilion and ending at De Bakke Beach. From there, athletes head into Transition before taking on a one-loop 90km (56 mile) cycling course.

They will cycle out and back on George Road, then on Louis Fourie Road towards Albertina and on to the N2, before reaching the turnaround at Gouritz River valley, just short of Herbertsdale on the R327. From there they will return to Mossel Bay as they prepare for Transition in De Bakke.

Lastly, athletes will take on a 21.1km (13.1 mile) two-and-a-half loop running course, which takes them past the harbour, through historic central Mossel Bay, the Dias Museum complex, and The Point, where the finish line beckons below the Cape St Blaize lighthouse.

Locals have a good view to enjoy while practising for the Ironman 70.3.

Ironman 70.3 Mossel Bay is a professional and age-group race and will offer qualifying slots for the 2023 Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Lahti, Finland, from 26 to 27 August 2023.

"We are excited to welcome Mossel Bay Municipality as a partner to the Ironman family. Our goal was to identify a city in South Africa that could host an event and which would bring a fresh offering, while providing athletes with a world-class experience, and we have found that in Mossel Bay," concluded Thomas Veje Olsen, head of operations for the Ironman Group in Europe, Middle East and Africa.

Werner Smit (front, left) from the Ironman group with municipal staffers (back) Numeree Juthe, Musfiqah Abrahams, Melanie Smit, Joe Johnston, executive mayor, Alderman Dirk Kotzé, Gerald de Jager and Carlo Klaasen, representing Lifesaving. Abrie Nel (front, centre) and Kobus van der Mescht (front, right) are also from the municipality. Photo's: Marycke Sass