A New Era for IRONMAN Racing in South Africa in 2027

The South African IRONMAN calendar will have an exciting new look in 2027, bringing  three fantastic race destinations for local triathletes.

The biggest change is the relocation of the full-distance ISUZU IRONMAN South Africa African Championship from Nelson Mandela Bay to Mossel Bay. This iconic event will take place on 18 April 2027 on a brand new course.

The 2027 South African IRONMAN calendar

• 31 January 2027: ISUZU IRONMAN 70.3 Nelson Mandela Bay African Championship
• 18 April 2027: ISUZU IRONMAN South Africa African Championship – Mossel Bay
• 6 June 2027: IRONMAN 70.3 Durban

The popular IRONMAN 70.3 Mossel Bay will have its final edition in November 2026, before Mossel Bay takes centre stage as the new home of the full-distance African Championship in 2027.

The new calendar gives athletes a brilliant progression through the first half of the year. You can begin with the fast and exciting 70.3 in Nelson Mandela Bay, step up to the full IRONMAN challenge in Mossel Bay, or target the warm-weather racing experience of 70.3 Durban.

Your IRONMAN journey starts with Embark

At Embark, we will offer coached group training and personalised training programs for all three of the 2027 South African IRONMAN events.

Whether you are preparing for your first triathlon, stepping up to your first IRONMAN 70.3, taking on the full IRONMAN distance or chasing a personal best, we will help you arrive at the start line prepared, confident and excited to race.

We accommodate athletes of all abilities and experience levels. You don’t need to be the fastest athlete in the group or already have years of triathlon experience. You simply need a goal, a willingness to learn and the commitment to keep moving forward.

Our coaching covers every part of the journey, including:

• Structured swim, bike and run training
• Coached group sessions
• Personalised training programs
• Open-water swimming preparation
• Strength, mobility and injury-prevention guidance
• Race nutrition and pacing
• Transitions and race-day skills
• Regular feedback, support and accountability

Train together. Learn together. Race together.

Preparing for an IRONMAN is a big undertaking, but it doesn’t have to be a lonely one.

At Embark, we believe athletes achieve more when they train as a team. Our sessions provide structure and expert coaching, but they also give you a community of people who understand the early mornings, long rides, tough sessions and occasional setbacks that form part of the journey.

We learn from one another, encourage one another and celebrate every improvement—whether it’s completing your first open-water swim, riding your longest distance, running off the bike with confidence or crossing an IRONMAN finish line.

Most importantly, we make the journey fun and social. We train together, travel to the races together, support one another on the course and enjoy the entire race weekend as a team. The finish line is special, but so are the friendships, laughs and memories created along the way.

Your IRONMAN journey starts here.

Join the Embark team and let’s get to that finish line together.