Best 70.3 races in South Africa
3 rated races, ranked by an overall score built from racer reviews and race reports. How we score
3 races
By the numbers
Overall score 3.5Very good#94 of 221Moderate evidence · 8 sources
Water 18–21 °C (64–70 °F)
1. IRONMAN 70.3 Mossel Bay
Overall score 3.5Very goodModerate evidence · 8 sourcesTop 43%#94 of 221 overallMossel Bay, South Africa · IRONMAN · Next race 22 Nov 2026
Racers loveWarm, clear sea swim from Santos Beach with a rolling start
Watch outHilly bike with 1,020 m (3,346 ft) of gain over 90 km (56 mi)
“warm clear waters of Santos Beach” Tri247 2023 report
- Water
- 18–21 °C (64–70 °F)
- Air
- 12–29 °C (54–84 °F)
- Bike climb
- 1,020 m (3,350 ft)
- Field
- about 2,800
- Best
- Conditions 4.2
- Weakest
- Race 3.3
Overall score 3.1Good#157 of 221Moderate evidence · 6 sources
2. IRONMAN 70.3 Durban
Overall score 3.1GoodModerate evidence · 6 sourcesBottom 30%#157 of 221 overallDurban, South Africa · IRONMAN · Next race 6 Jun 2027
Racers loveBeachfront promenade run past Moses Mabhida Stadium
Watch outSurf can cancel or shorten the swim, as in 2016
- Field
- about 3,000
- Best
- Conditions 3.8
- Weakest
- Race 2.8
Overall score 2.8Good#198 of 221Moderate evidence · 5 sources
Water 17–23 °C (63–73 °F)
3. IRONMAN 70.3 Nelson Mandela Bay
Overall score 2.8GoodModerate evidence · 5 sourcesBottom 12%#198 of 221 overallGqeberha (Port Elizabeth), South Africa · IRONMAN · Next race 31 Jan 2027
Racers loveFirst IRONMAN 70.3 African Championship, set for 31 Jan 2027
Watch outOpen-bay swim: cancelled in 2022, and 2 to 4 m (6.5 to 13 ft) swell was forecast for 2023
“I just want to finish, I just want to finish.” Cheryl Tay blog
- Water
- 17–23 °C (63–73 °F)
- Air
- 19–27 °C (66–81 °F)
- Best
- Run 3.8
- Weakest
- Bike 2.4
About these ratings
Races are ranked by an overall score out of 5, built from racer reviews and race reports, on the race itself, swim, bike, run, conditions and travel. 5 is always the better end. How we rate
70.3 course: 1.9 km (1.2 mi) swim, 90 km (56 mi) bike, 21.1 km (13.1 mi) run.
19 racer reviews and race reports.
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