R100,000 Up For Grabs For Record Breakers At Ironman SA

Record breakers at the 2009 Spec-Savers Ironman South Africa will receive a R10 000 bonus for any record broken in either the swim, cycle or run. If a new course record is set R20,000 will be awarded. This bonus applies to both men and women, which means a total of R100,000 could be awarded to athletes over and above the other prize money.

Triangle SA, organisers of Ironman South Africa, announced this new incentive as entries for the 2009 event officially opened. "The reason we introduced this monetary incentive is to both encourage and reward athletes who break records within the race itself," says race director Paul Wolff. "Often an athlete is strong at one discipline, but may not always finish on the podium or even be in the running for prize money. Take Anton Storm, who was first out of the water at this year's event and set a new swim record of 47:06. Anton, competing in his first full Ironman, struggled to the finish in 191st place but was motivated to do so as his swim record would only stand if he completed the entire race." Read the story »

Older Stories

Engaged Couple Win Spec-Savers Ironman South Africa 2008

It is said that the Ironman event is never won until at least halfway through the run. The Spec-Savers Ironman South Africa 2008 certainly proved that point. In an incredible men's race, Great Britain's Stephen Bayliss paced himself phenomenally to take the lead with only eight kilometres to go, leaving Raynard Tissink once again in second place. The drama was far from over as Bayliss's fianc�e, Bella Comerford, crossed the line only five seconds ahead of Italy's Edith Niederfriniger. Read the story »

Ironman South Africa Preview

The Spec-Savers Ironman South Africa must be one of the few events on the Ironman calendar where you can travel to the race by crossing two continents, switch hemispheres and still stay in the same timezone that you were in when you started! Read the story »

New Champions to be crowned at Ironman South Africa

A strong field of Pros will be heading for the starting line of the Spec-Savers Ironman South Africa on Sunday, April 13, 2008. Entries closed with 1,600 athletes, including a growing number of South African Pros along with the line up in addition to the strong international line up. Read the story »

Recapping Spec-Savers Ironman South Africa 2007

In an incredibly thrilling men's race, defending champion, Belgium's gerardus Schellens ran a phenomenal 2:43:20 course record marathon to snatch the title away from hometown hero Raynard Tissink for the second consecutive year. For six-time ford Ironman World Champion Natascha Bodmann, though, the day's racing was an exercise in domination as she dashed to her third consecutive victory in South Africa. Read the story »

Schellens and Badmann win again in South Africa

Belgian Gerardus Schellens has made it two in a row, coming from behind and passing local hero Raynard Tissink with just a few kilometers left in the race to successfully defend his Spec-Savers Ironman South Africa title. Read the story »

Spec-Savers Ironman South Africa 2007 Preview

Spectators at this year's Spec-Savers Ironman South Africa will be in for a treat when the world-class line-up of pro triathletes, representing six nations, take to the field at Hobie Beach on Sunday, 18 March for the start of the third Spec-Savers Ironman South Africa triathlon. Read the story »

Badmann's back: Spec-Savers Ironman South Africa 2007

World-class triathletes will take to the field at the Spec-Savers Ironman South Africa 2007 on March 18 in Port Elizabeth. Highlighting the field will be Natascha Badmann, the six-time Kona champion, but an exciting men's race between defending champion Gerardus Schellens and Raynard Tissink is also in the cards. Organizers expect a field of 1,700 athletes in the event. Read the story »

Winning big in South Africa

The recent Spec-Savers Ironman South Africa race saw Gerrit Schellens win his first official Ironman event, while defending Ford Ironman World Champion Natascha Badmann added another title to her impressive resume. Nick Munting caught up with the two champions. Read the story »

About the Race

Qualifier for Ford Ironman World Championship Set in the spectacular Nelson Mandela Bay, an exciting holiday destination that features beautiful beaches and a wide range of nature and wildlife attractions, the Spec-Savers Ironman South Africa triathlon became an amazing addition to the Ironman family of races when it was moved up to a full Ironman distance event in 2005.

The race is like no other in many other ways. The African dancers and musicians entertain not only at the pasta party and awards ceremony - they are on hand for the race start and at the finish line, too.

The two-loop swim at the Spec-Savers Ironman South Africa triathlon starts at Hobie Beach - one of the many beautiful beaches here in Nelson Mandela Bay.

The bike course is made up of three 60km loops that will take you along the scenic coast and wrap you in its splendour.

The run (3 loops) links up with the cycle route taking you through crowds of cheering spectators as you make your way to the prestigious Finish Line for your moment of glory.

This is an event that will bring the beauty of South Africa into reality as the country draws you into its many hidden secrets. You will discover that Ironman South Africa will be a truly unique experience for you.

Available Now from IronmanDVD

2007 Ford Ironman World Championship 70.3 DVD
Relive the November 10, 2007 race with this DVD. Watch as Andy Potts, a highly decorated athlete with short-course success, sprinted to a first place 3:42:33 finish, while Australia�s Mirinda Carfrae broke the course record and claimed victory finishing at 4:07:25. In addition to the competitive professional field, more than 1,400 other triathletes ranging from 19 to 82 years old crossed the finish line, including Mark Rothbaum, manager of country music legend Willie Nelson, and Stacey Junio, who celebrated her recent weight loss in preparation for the event. $34.95 Available now.