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ironman south afriCa By Dean Warhaft Country Might I interest you in a trip to the cradle of life? Africa, and more specifically Port Elizabeth, South Africa, is home to the Spec-Savers Ironman. The race, held in April each year, boasts some of the best weather for an endurance event as well as a plethora of activities unique to the region, if Ironman is your excuse to travel. Here you will drive across lands that some say might have influenced some of J.R.R. Tolkien’s writings. Along with the mystical setting comes the reality of apartheid, Nelson Mandela and shanty towns. The Xhosa ethnic group dominates this part of the country. Plan to spend some time learning about their rich culture and ability to be one with the land.
transportation Whether you plan to drive or fly, getting to Port Elizabeth generally involves a trip to either Durban or Cape Town. The flights from either place take about 1.5 hours. If your trip to race Ironman includes time for touring, fly through Cape Town. Then drive east along the N2 highway toward Port Elizabeth. This is known as the Garden Route and is one of the more scenic drives in the world. The rich beauty of coastal mountains, estuaries beaming with wildlife, protea flowers growing along the road and lush forests all blend as you travel from the craggy coastline. One of two must-stop places along the route is the coastal town Knysna. And if you’re up for a really adventurous way to see 44
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the beauty, visit Ironman veterans Bettina and Henk Van Wyk at Mossel Bay Skydive to get a bird’s-eye view of this stunning region.
raCe Since 2004, Ironman South Africa has steadily increased its participant numbers and, if the 2009 turnout is any indication, it wil continue to grow in the future. Also, Port Elizabeth has agreed to host the event for another five-year term, adding to the race’s stability. The course itself is a two-loop swim in the fairly calm waters of Nelson Mandela Bay. The first question people generally ask is about the sharks. Contrary to folklore, race director Paul Wolff says, “There hasn’t been a shark attack in or around the pier in the last 15 years, and plenty of people swim at dusk every evening.” After a quick transition in the beach parking lot area, competitors take off on a three-loop bike course. The only real climb on the whole course is the 10K climb up Walmer Boulevard. The real challenge can be the wind. Port Elizabeth has two names: the friendly city and the windy city. It lives up to both. The run is also three loops along Marine Drive and through the University of Port Elizabeth’s grounds in an area called Summerstrand. Make sure to look out for monkeys when you pass the stadium grounds. Friends and family are out in full force along the Marine Drive portion of the course, distracting athletes with the smell of kudu on the grill and cold beer.
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tourism There’s no way to do everything in one trip, so prioritize the activities you want to do. Going on a safari is a must-do. There are plenty of wild game reserves in and around the Eastern Cape. Some are definitely better than others and it’s a good idea to decide ahead of time what sort of experience you are looking for. Addo Elephant Park is famous, but the park is huge, so you could spend the entire time driving and not actually seeing many animals. On the other hand, Pumba Private Game Reserve, although smaller in size, makes it much easier for the guides to find the animals and provide a highly interactive visit. “Smaller” is a relative term. In eight hours we saw one other group and barely covered a third of the park. Bloukrans, an hour outside of Port Elizabeth, is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to jump from the highest span bridge bungee in the world. And if you’re wondering whether you’ll actually jump once on the ledge, wait until you’re standing there with the music pumping and everyone screaming. There is simply too much to do in one trip, and maybe just lying on the beautiful beaches and experiencing some of the Xhosa traditions is enough to satisfy those tired legs after completing an Ironman. Either way, the Spec-Savers Ironman South Africa should definitely be on your family’s endurance travel list. Dean Warhaft has been racing and traveling for more than 15 years. He has raced on six continents, completing more than 30 Ironmans, more than 30 marathons and countless other endurance events along the way. He produces the “Endurance Traveler” TV series. april 2010