Ironman South Africa announced on Monday that vehicle manufacturer Isuzu, with its manufacturing plant in Port Elizabeth, would be the title sponsor for the Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Nelson Mandela Bay on the 1st and 2nd of September.
SA Ironman MD Keith Bowler said Isuzu has been a long-time partner to the full Ironman in the city for the past decade.
Bowler said 5000 athletes and an estimated additional 15 000 people will be in Nelson Mandela Bay for the week of the event, bringing millions of rands into the city coffers.
"We know that it's going to bring in a minimum of R400 million direct spend into the city, and I think that's very conservative. Obviously, we'll have the final numbers just after the event, but it's really going to make a difference to the people here in Nelson Mandela Bay," he said.
Bowler added that the city is six weeks away from making history in an event that has taken two years of planning.
Nelson Mandela Bay Executive Mayor Athol Trollip said the global TV coverage that the event will enjoy will be "priceless" in value to Nelson Mandela Bay.
Trollip said the success of event will be critical to the future of the country.
Isuzu's sales and marketing director, Craig Uren, said it was a "natural fit" for the company to be a headline sponsor given its long-term relationship with Ironman South Africa.
Uren announced that a special addition double cab bakkie to commemorate the event will be launched at the end of July at its dealerships across the country.
