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Ironman South Africa has announced a new title sponsor in Standard Bank.
The three-year initial commitment beginning in January 2015 will see Standard Bank support four key Ironman races annually in South Africa.
The announcement was made in Johannesburg today by Ironman South Africa managing director, Keith Bowler.
He said it is a R9m a year investment that will cover the 70.3 in East London, the Ironman in Nelson Mandela Bay and 51.50 series events in Bela Bela and Ekhuruleni.
"The SA Ironman in Nelson Mandela Bay will be elevated to Continental Championship status making it one of the top six full Ironman events in the world."
It will carry $150 000 in prize money, more qualifying points and 75 slots for the amatuers for the World Championships in Kona in Hawaii in October.
Standard Bank MD in Africa, Ben Kruger, says they will spend three times more than the R9m annual sponsorship on TV rights and other activities around the Ironman event.
"In total I think it will cost us around R30m a year," said Kruger.
He said the Ironman sponsorship afforded Standard Bank the opportunity to be part of a global event, adding that the bank also has a big focus on the African continent.
Former Proteas fast bowler, Andre' Nel, attended Thursday's launch and said Standard Bank "is a very good brand" and can only take Ironman forward.
The Standard Bank African Championship will take place in Nelson Mandela Bay on 29 March 2015.
Ironman MD Keith Bowler; Standard Bank MD in Africa Ben Kruger and Standard Bank marketing boss Nikki Twomey.
Left to right race Director Paul Wolffe, ironman athlete Hanson Singadhi and former SA Ironman champ Raynard Tissink welcome Standard Bank as new title sponsor of Ironman South Africa
