Mossel Bay, Garden Route (October 2021) – It’s with much exuberance and pride that Mossel Bay has the privilege of announcing their hosting of the inaugural edition of the IRONMAN 70.3 Mossel Bay, that will take place on Sunday, November 6, 2022. Thanks to much hard work on the part of Mossel Municipality, IRONMAN South Africa has chosen to make the Great Escape to Mossel Bay, by bringing an IRONMAN 70.3 event. “It’s with great anticipation that we look forward to hosting competitors and supports for next year’s IRONMAN 70.3 Mossel Bay. We will certainly put on an event of International stature” said acting mayor Dirk Kotze.
“We are excited about expanding our South African racing options into the Western Cape next year with the addition of our event in Mossel Bay – a beautiful tourist destination with its rich history catering to internationals and locals alike,” says IRONMAN South Africa Managing Director, Keith Bowler.
The Mossel Bay municipal area provides ease of access for all travellers, being situated less than 50km from George Airport and a mere four-hour drive from Cape Town.
Athletes and spectators can prepare for a breath-taking course, this destination being located just west of centre on South Africa’s popular Garden Route. Offering the scenic thrills of majestic Outeniqua Mountains, an azure blue ocean, rolling green hills and pastures, as well as prolific agriculture and culture, athletes and their supporters can look forward to a memorable stay in Mossel Bay and its surrounding towns.
Athletes participating in IRONMAN 70.3 Mossel Bay will take on a 1.9km (1.2-mile) swim, setting out opposite the iconic Santos Beach Pavilion and exiting the water at De Bakke in Santos Bay.
From here, they will head into the first transition before taking on a single-loop 90km (56-mile) bike course. The cycle route heads out on George Road before hitting Louis Fourie towards Albertina.
A stretch of N2 will be followed before reaching the turnaround at Gouritz River Valley, just short of Herbertsdale on the R327. Cyclists will then return to Mossel Bay and prepare for the next transition in De Bakke.
Finally, participants will take on a 21.1km (13.1-mile) 2.5-loop run course that snakes through the harbour and historic Central Mossel Bay, past Dias Museum and on to The Point, where the finish line will beckon below Cape St Blaize Lighthouse.
General registration for this exciting newcomer on the 2022 global race calendar opening at www.ironman.com/im703-mossel-bay on Tuesday, October 26, 2021.
Most notable among post-race attractions is the recently established Mossel Bay Zipline – the largest over-ocean operation in the world, spanning approximately 1,100m in length and with zipliners reaching speeds of up to 80km per hour.
A plethora of other activities include skydiving and a wide range of aquatic adventures, giving credence to the claim that Mossel Bay is indeed any tourist’s dream.
“Since Mossel Bay is one of the best-managed municipalities in South Africa and IRONMAN is considered one of the globe’s most famous sporting brands, we are excited about the economic injection for the town and global media exposure that the partnership will bring” added Dirk Kotze.
Mossel Bay cannot wait to share their Greater Mossel Bay treasures with both local and international participants and supporters.
Use the hashtag #IM703MosselBay and visit www.ironman.com/im703-mossel-bay to for more information..
Press release on behalf of Mossel Bay Tourism:
interface by goji
mimi finestone | mimi@gojipr.net | +27 84 583 3144
