Thinking of doing this race. Anyone done this before? Please share in terms of lodging, race organisation, bike security etc Thanks.
Doing my Fourth IM South Africa in 2009. There are about 4 three and four star hotels within 3 miles of the start as well as many b&b’s. a good website for lodging is http://www.nmbt.co.za/accommodation/accommodation.asp. it handles everything from hotels to bed and Breakfasts etc.
Race Organization is exellent and definitely on par with any other Ironman Event. 3 loops of 60 km with 3 aid stations on each loop (bars, gels, water and infinit sports drink)for the bike. 3 loops of 14 km on the run with 4 aid stations on each loop (bars, gels, bananas, water, coke and infinit sports drink). Full road closure for both the bike and run with roving bike supportand medical. last year the voulenteer ratio was almost 1:1 and approxamatly 25 000 spectators cheering everybody on.
Port Elizabeth goes totally Ironman mad for the week.
Bike Check in is on Saturday afternoon and the bike park is Fenced in with tall fences. It is also well lit with patrolling security guards on duty throughout the night.
You also cannot check out your bike unless your bike number and compeditors arm band match.
The International Airport is also been briefed on bike handeling. On all previous times My bike has been brought to me and not put on the carousal where it could be damaged.
There is a dedicated bike shop at the expo where any fine tuning etc can be sorted out.
I realy would recommend the race to any body.
There are also Quite a few Game reserves within a few hours drive for after and to keep The family entertained.
I did it the first time it was in Port Elizabeth in 2004 when it was a 1/2. Best vacation I ever had and an awesome race. Great food, great stuff to see. Don’t miss going to a game reserve and driving the garden route after the race to Capetown with a stopover in Plettinberg or Kynsa or another nice town along the way is great. The food and wine are spectacular. We stayed at a hotel directly across the street from the transition area - I think it was called “The Beach Hotel” or something like that. The people are really nice. I also like a destination race where you study about the place before you go, and there are some great books set in or about South Africa. The race organization is great - its Triangle Sports, who does IM Austria and IM France also - I also did IM Austria and they did a great job there as well as in South Africa.
I raced it in 2006. It is a wonderful experience. Well-run race by Triangle (the Team that manages IM France and IM Austria) so the quality of the event is top-notch.
We opted for the “home stay” offered on the site and had a wonderful host who really showed us around. You may want to inquire about that option.
I treated the race as a “fun day” and didn’t worry about performance at all.
We flew into Cape Town (on free tickets from accumulated flight miles) 18 days before the race and spent 5 days in/around Cape Town staying at a friend’s house (Botanical Gardens, Hiking Table Mountain, visiting the Winelands, Stelenbosch, etc.). Next we drove around the Cape for 3 days stopping in Knysna and J-Bay. Then, we spent 4 nights on Safari (best experience of my life in terms of quality time with my wife…no phones, no cars, just nature and fine food). Finally, we spent 4 days in Port Elizabeth (with a day trip to Otto Elephant Park).
Of course, hopping on a plane the day after an IM and flying for 22-straight hours was a bit brutal, but it was totally worth it.
Safari is a MUST DO. It costs A LOT. Look for opportunities to save elsewhere on the trip, but don’t skimp on Safari.
Good luck. You’ll love it.
Cheers,
Puskas
Thanks all for sharing. On last question. How about the Ironman expo? Is it huge maybe like other USA races e.g. comparing it with Ironman Louisville. I am torn between the two. Thanks in advance.
It’s a great event. The wind may blow, so don’t take a disc as your only rear wheel. The Expo is a disappointment, so don’t rely on getting special things. You’ll find CO2 etc, or at the Bike shop in town, their address is on the web site.
Taxi from the airport is only a few Euro’s, as the airport is very close. I’ve done it a number of times, and find that foreign currency goes a long way. They are serious about bike security. I walked everywhere for the week I was there, and hired a car after to go to nearby cities.
Not a notable expo…However, I’d argue that you don’t go to South Africa to look at carbon bikes made in China and “Ironman” mattresses…
Thanks for all the replies. I have decided to do Ironman Louisville instead of SA… if there are still vacancies. Can’t help it…I am sucker for expo and ironman paraphernalia, very cool about the time trial swim start, hot weather…yes I like hot and humid race…after my last 2 freaking cold races…now time to look for accomodations…)=
You said you like the Expo, IM Switzerland is (was in 2005) fantastic. There must have been 200 stalls and representatives there! I was like a kid in a toy shop! And the race was spectacular. You swim in a lake, and the 3-loop cycle route takes you up some nice hills, one of which is short and sharp, and the spectators are cheering you up, leaving a “Tour de France” style passage of about 5 feet wide. It comes near the end of the course, so a great pick-me-up! Then the run is very flat along the lake, with 10’s of thousands of spectators.
Dear Going Long, thanks for the info…not forgeting the nice Ironman goodie bag too. Will do IM Switzerland in 2010. Already in for IM Germany this year. Cheers.
Done it twice. Exceptionally well organised. Great venue with many options for exploring afterwards.