A partnership that has blossomed over a decade came full circle on Monday when Isuzu Motors SA was named title sponsor for the Ironman 70.3 World Championship to be hosted in Port Elizabeth on September 1 and 2.
With thousands of triathletes, their families and supporters descending on the city in little more than a month, an estimated R400m in direct spend is expected for the Bay.
Isuzu executive officer of sales, service and marketing Craig Uren said at an event held at the Mandela Bay Development Agency headquarters that the support of the world championship strengthened the ties Isuzu already had as official vehicle sponsor of the Standard Bank Ironman Africa Championship in the city.
“Putting on an event like Ironman, there are huge logistical issues, things to achieve – so it always made logical sense for us to participate as a key supplier and partner,” he said.
Ironman SA managing director Keith Bowler said: “This is an event like no other – it’s the equivalent of the Fifa World Cup for triathletes.
“We cannot believe it has taken two years of planning for this event to arrive at this point, and we welcome the event with great excitement.”
Bowler said only 10% of the field would be South African, with the rest of the estimated 5,000 triathletes coming from about 70 different countries.
“The athletes and their loved ones will bring on average a minimum of three people with them,” he said.
“It is expected an additional 15,000 people will visit the city for a minimum of seven days.
“The international athletes will stay for a lot longer than that, and only 10% of our entire field will be from SA, so you can imagine the knock-on effect for the city as we expect an estimated R400m in direct spend in the city as a result.”
Nelson Mandela Bay mayor Athol Trollip said the hosting of the event cemented the city’s place as a popular destination for sporting events.
A limited-edition Isuzu pickup emblazoned with Ironman decals was unveiled and is set to go on sale in the lead-up to the athletic showpiece.