The Isuza Ironman African Championship is the epitome of endurance athleticism which takes place against the breathtaking backdrop of Nelson Mandela Bay in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. It stands as one of the continent's most renowned endurance races, attracting elite athletes and passionate amateurs from across the globe.

Brave participants take on on a gruelling journey that includes a 3.8-kilometer ocean swim, followed by a challenging 180-kilometer bike ride through scenic coastal routes and inland landscapes, culminating in a marathon-length 42.2-kilometer run along the vibrant streets of Port Elizabeth.

Despite its awe-inspiring allure, Ironman remains somewhat of a hidden gem, tucked away in the realm of niche events. Yet, there's no denying the sheer dedication and physical prowess of its participants. The tragic events of January 2013, when two athletes sadly succumbed to cardiac respiratory arrest during the 70.3 South Africa Ironman, serve as a stark reminder of the immense physical demands this challenge entails.

The race also offers Qualifying slots to the 2024 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship for Men and Women’s Age Groups.

Ironman Africa Date

The Ironman African Championship in 2024 takes place on Sunday 21st April.

Course and Schedule

The race starts at 06.40 and has the usual 17 hour time limit, taking you to midnight the same day. The starting location is at Port Elizabeth's popular Hobie Beach, and the course proceeds as follows:

Swim: 2 loops around a 1.9km course, starting and finishing at Hobie Beach.

Bike: From transition at Hobie Beach, then 2 loops of the following course:

Marine Drive

Heugh Road

Buffelsfontein Road

Seaview Road

Sardinia Bay Road

Victoria Drive

Marine Drive

Run: A 4 lap course focused mainly along the scenic seafront of Marine Drive, with a shorter section on University Avenue.

For full course details, including maps and cut off times, see the official site Course plan

The 2024 Schedule is also available to include the whole weekend of events: 2024 Schedule

TV & Live Streaming

There is an increasing range of online coverage available for the Ironman triathlon these days, with availability of TV, video and streaming varying by location, not all races are available but we try to find something that you can follow along with.

There is the live athlete tracker app

You can also get updates from the official Facebook page.

Hotels and Accommodation

If you're in Port Elizabeth for the triathlon and planning on spending some time around the area then you can check out availability and make online reservations for local hotels here.

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