Marino Masters 70.3 South Africa
East London was privy to some enthralling race action as the fifth edition of the Spec-Savers Ironman 70.3 South Africa provided a brand new champion in the form of Belgium's Marino Vanhoenacker. Vanhoenacker had to make up some ground after the swim but once ahead, never looked back.

The early swim leaders were pegged back during the bike leg as Van Der Meer and Threlfall gradually fell back while Vanhoenacker, Ronnie Schildknecht (SUI) and Domenico Passuello moved to the front of the pack. The mercury reached around 30 degrees in overcast and humid conditions, which the athletes handled well. Vanhoenacker dug deep to come from behind and not only take the lead, but also open a six-minute gap between himself and his closest rival heading into transition, with a bike split of 02:18:00.

The run leg never seemed to be a problem for race leader, Vanhoenacker, as he maintained his lead on the course to be the first to beak the tape and emerge as the winner of the Spec-Savers Ironman 70.3 South Africa in a time of 04:06:25.