Lets get one thing straight. Port Elizabeth is a damn fine town and spectacularly beautiful to boot. 

It may on occasion be a tad windy but the people are exceptionally welcoming to ‘the IronMans’ as more than one has called me and this place knows how to throw a party. I am seriously considering moving up here to live. 

On top of the brilliance that is PE, the IronMan organisation far surpasses it’s legendary reputation. This morning there was even an official IM table at Hobie beach manned by volunteers where it was possible to leave my belongings in a numbered bag while I went for a swim. And this was two days before the event even takes place. 

Registration was a breeze with everything laid out and all of the staff knew exactly what to do and how to answer even my most obscure questions. They must spend days in training and could teach a lot of our local businesses in Cape Town how to do things. 

Walking around town my wife and I started a game to see who could spot the most people in a city block wearing IronMan competitor armbands on their wrists . It got so ridiculous that we had to change the rules to try and spot non competitors. It’s like the place has been taken over by fit people. 

In the flea pit where we are staying (R170.00 pp per night so I didn’t expect anything better) there is not a single room that doesn’t have an entrant in it and the place is booked solid until Tuesday morning. The same is true right across town. 

IronMan certainly brings big bucks to Port Elizabeth and Port Elizabeth has the good manners to know how to say a proper thank you.