South Africa gets 70.3 Durban

Hot on the heels of the Standard Bank Ironman 70.3 South Africa in East London/Buffalo City won by Jodie Swallow and Matt Trautman, Ironman now announced a second 70.3 race in South Africa - in Durban. Plus the full distance event in Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa on March 29, 2015 is an Ironman Continental Championship. All these events were made possibly with a lot of passionate folks and financial support from Standard Bank, a big sponsor for all 3 of these South african events.

Durban is located on the West Coast of South Africa and with 3.5 million residents it is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal. The inaugural Standard Bank 70.3 Durban will take place on August 2, 2015 and average temperatures that time of year should be around 19 degrees Celsius (65 degrees F).

“We are very excited to announce Ironman 70.3 Durban. The popularity of triathlon in South Africa is on the rise – and athletes have long awaited the introduction of an additional race in the region. Durban is a great location that is also one of the original South African triathlon hotbeds, with the South African pioneers of the sport thriving in the 1980s. We are therefore delighted to offer the IRONMAN 70.3 experience to the people of Durban and to welcome our international athletes to the east coast city,” said Keith Bowler, Managing Director for Ironman South Africa.

The 2015 Standard Bank Ironman 70.3 Durban will offer 30 qualifying slots to the 2016 Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia.