It is nearly taper time as triathletes put their final touches to their preparations for ISUZU IRONMAN® 70.3® Durban.

In just under a month, athletes from all over the globe will descend on Durban to compete in this natural paradise known for its sun-kissed beaches and subtropical climate.

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Fast and flat

IRONMAN 70.3 Durban is the perfect peak-season race for international athletes, and mid to late season race for South Africans. A fairly flat and fast course, this race is a first-timer and club favourite, with the bike course rated second best globally according to the 2023 Athletes’ Choice Awards.

As usual, the race is expected to attract a strong local crowd, with the majority of the field being South African.

Athletes will also fly in from the likes of the UK, the US and Kenya. This early-season event offers men’s and women’s Age Group Qualifying slots to the 2024 VinFast IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in New Zealand.

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Exciting route

The race kicks off in the early morning on Sunday, 2 June 2024 with a one-loop 1.9km swim course that sets the tone for an unforgettable race at uShaka Beach, near the Durban Harbour and uShaka Marine World.

This is then followed by a two-loop 90km bike course, which is fast and undulating. The bike course consists of two laps on the M4 highway between SUNCOAST Casino/ M17 and the Umdloti/M27 intersections.

Athletes then finish off on the two-loop 21.1km run course on a flat route along the promenade. Athletes will turn at New Beach and then head to Blue Lagoon and Suncoast, and finally make their way to the finish at the Suncoast Amphitheatre.

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Body positivity in focus

@fitnessgirl_za Tracey-Lee Lusty is aiming to take on her second IRONMAN 70.3 race in under 6 weeks, fresh off the back of completing her first ever IRONMAN 70.3 race in Nelson Mandela Bay last month.

Tracey is a big advocate of women in sport and body positivity and is looking to take on all three South African IRONMAN races this season.

Around 1,000 local volunteers will be working all over Durban in areas including registration, media, road closure, finish line and transition.

ISUZU IRONMAN 70.3 Durban Race Director, Werner Smit, said: “We can’t wait to be back in Durban for this fantastic race in a beautiful part of South Africa. The local support is great, and we encourage everyone to come out to support the athletes and have a brilliant day out in the process! If you’re considering a late entry to a race this season, then this isn’t one to be missed.”