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Home / News / South Africa to host 2018 Ironman 70.3 World Championship

South Africa to host 2018 Ironman 70.3 World Championship

Ironman has just announced that Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa will host the 2018 Ironman 70.3 World Championship

Port Elizabeth, Nelson Mandela Bay: Bike Course © Craig Muller/IRONMAN

The 2018 Ironman 70.3 World Championship has been awarded to Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa. Taking place from 1-2 September 2018, this will be the first time Ironman has held a World Championship event in Africa. The event will attract thousands of athletes from over 100 qualifying events across the world.

Nelson Mandela Bay first hosted an Ironman event in 2004 and since 2015 has been the site of the Standard Bank Ironman African Championship.

Andrew Messick, CEO of Ironman, says: “We are delighted to bring the Ironman 70.3 World Championship to Nelson Mandela Bay. Tens of thousands athletes have enjoyed racing in our events in South Africa over the past 12 years and we are excited to welcome some of the world’s most elite triathletes to the African continent.”

Athol Trollip, Nelson Mandela Bay Executive Mayor, says: “Nelson Mandela Bay is delighted to have been chosen to host the 2018 Ironman 70.3 World Championship. We are proud of our excellent track record in hosting the Standard Bank Ironman African Championship.

“It’s on the strength of this, our climate, our beautiful beaches and our tourism potential that we are now in a position to host this prestigious international event. We look forward to welcoming the world’s athletes to the Bay.”

The 2017 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship is taking place from 9-10 September 2017 in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Profile image of Liz Barrett Liz Barrett Freelance sports journalist, copyriter and editor

About

Former 220 deputy editor Liz Barrett started work on the magazine in 2007 as staff writer. During her 18 years with the brand, she reported live from almost every major triathlon across the globe, including the Ironman World Championship, the 70.3 World Championship, six World Triathlon Grand Finals, Challenge Roth, the 2014 and 2022 Commonwealth Games, the London and Paris Olympics and the Rio Paralympics, to name but a few. Name a pro and chances are she’ll have interviewed them, so, unsurprisingly, she’s still our go-to pro-athlete expert. She now works as a freelance journalist, copywriter and editor.