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ISUZU is fulfilling a critical logistical role at this weekend’s triathlon events taking place along the scenic Port Elizabeth coastline.
This is in addition to Isuzu being the title sponsor of the Isuzu Corporate Triathlon Challenge, the biggest triathlon event outside of the IRONMAN series in South Africa – with a total of 1 650 individual athletes participating in the event which started on Saturday.
The Standard Bank IRONMAN African Championship takes place this Sunday.
Handing over eight refrigerated 8-ton Isuzu trucks to the race organisers Thursday night, Isuzu affirmed its longstanding partnership with the triathlon organisers, which started over eight years ago.
Craig Uren, Isuzu Motors South Africa, Executive Officer Sales, Service and Marketing, said the Isuzu brand is synonymous with endurance, durability and reliability, very much the same as IRONMAN. “We are committed to provide solutions to the triathlon and to ensure the athletes are efficiently hydrated at the same time.”
The refrigerated Isuzu trucks are being used for both the Isuzu Corporate Triathlon Challenge, as well as the Standard Bank IRONMAN African Championship .
In addition to the eight trucks that were stationed at eight water points during the weekend, another two Isuzu trucks and eight Isuzu bakkies will be used during the weekend for various transportation and logistical purposes.
“The partnership with Isuzu Motors South Africa is invaluable – it takes so much pressure off us to make use of the bakkies and the trucks. No other host in the world has a sponsorship like this,” said IRONMAN Africa’s Director of Operations, Paul Wolff.
“There is a lot of logistics involved during this weekend – with three sports in one event, and the different events hosted on Saturday and Sunday. Branding and infrastructure must be moved and stored – everything has a logistical component. The refrigerated trucks will add so much value to the event, by offering a cold product to the participants,” Wolff said.
The eight water stations, four for the biking leg and four for the running leg of the IRONMAN event, will be manned by volunteers. Over 2 000 athletes are expected to compete in the IRONMAN event this Sunday.
The Isuzu bakkies and trucks also formed a critical component of the construction of the impressive Ironman set-up at the beachfront, including an Ironman Village, as well as assisting with the road closures, transporting volunteers, athletes and media during the weekend.
“No event can survive without partners, and we are very grateful to Isuzu. The company is not just a sponsor but a partner,” Wolff said.
Isuzu Truck Centre Port Elizabeth Dealer Principal, Duncan Young, said the partnership with the triathlon events, is a good fit for Isuzu tagline, “With you for the long run”, since the vehicles are reliable and the perfect fit for endurance events of this nature.
A range of Isuzu trucks and bakkies will be on display at the Isuzu VIP Hospitality Centre in the heart of the Ironman Village. Isuzu trucks and bakkies are locally manufactured in Port Elizabeth.
The Isuzu Corporate Triathlon Challenge is exactly 10% of the full IRONMAN distance consisting of a 380-meter swim, an 18-kilometer bike with spectacular coastal views and 4.2-kilometre beachfront run. Companies can choose to participate as individuals (doing all three legs) or a team of 2 or 3 team members (school or corporate team). The start is at Hobie Beach, and the athletes finish at the official Standard Bank IRONMAN South Africa finish line adjacent to Shark Rock Pier.
The Standard Bank IRONMAN African Championship has been a favourite on the European race circuit for over a decade. The day begins with a one-lap, 3.8km swim course beginning at Hobie Beach. The bike course takes athletes out on two flat, fast laps of 90 km on one of the most spectacular bike courses on the IRONMAN circuit. The run course brings athletes closer to their fans and friends than ever thanks to four loops along Marine Drive and the event’s famous crowds of 80 000-plus spectators.
