Here is a quick snap shot at the 2 races this weekend, Ironman South Africa and Texas 70.3
Ironman South Africa
Sunday April 6th
Celebrating its 10-year anniversary in 2014, IRONMAN South Africa is staged in Nelson Mandela Bay, surrounded by tourist destinations that showcase the abundance of wild beauty indigenous to South Africa and the Eastern Cape.
The one-lap 3.8km swim course starts on the blue-flag Hobie Beach, heading out parallel to Shark Rock Pier turning left after 300 metres. The course then goes past Humewood Beach all the way to Kings Beach before turning and heading back towards Hobie Beach.
The new bike course takes athletes out on two laps of 90km in what is arguably the most spectacular bike course on the IRONMAN circuit. Encapsulating some of the best elements of Nelson Mandela Bay the route takes athletes along the coast, into the heart of the city, past a natural lake, through indigenous coastal fynbos nature reserves and takes athletes home with kilometres of sweeping ocean views of untouched South African coastline. Athletes can expect a lot of climbing with approximately
806m gain per lap, but will be well rewarded by the beauty of this course.
The run is a three-loop course along Marine Drive through IRONMAN South Africa’s famous crowds of 70 000+ spectators. It’s a very fast, flat route through the top gate of Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University and out through the bottom gate, heading towards transition.
From the Pro’s
James Cunnama on Twitter:
“Beach time in PE. Slowing down before the big race. pic.twitter.com/QHQOqD4nIA”
Texas 70.3
Sunday April 6th
Athletes begin their day with a 1.2-mile, one-loop saltwater swim in Offats Bayou, staged at Moody Gardens’ Palm Beach Hotel. The 56-mile bike course takes cyclists on a one-loop ride along the Texas Gulf Coast, known for its gusty winds. The 13.1-mile, three-loop run is fast and flat, taking athletes through Moody Gardens and along Offats Bayou. The finish is next to the majestic Colonel Paddlewheel Boat. “The course is pretty forgiving and makes the perfect early season race,”
says race director Scott Langen. “Many use it as a barometer to gauge their fitness leading into IRONMAN Texas.”
From the Pro’s
Chris McDonald on Twitter
100% chance……. I think we are gonna get really wet on Sunday! pic.twitter.com/5ZxqeF22jL
Article source: http://www.xtri.com/features/detail/284-itemId.511716921.html
