Iron Girl folds for lack of funds

The immensely popular Iron Girl event, which traditionally precedes the Standard Bank Ironman 70.3, will not take place this year.

Neither the East London nor Port Elizabeth Iron Girl events will be held this year, with organisers focusing all their efforts and resources on the 70.3 and full Ironman events.

The reason for the cancellation is lack of resources.

“The Iron Girl event was the only race in our stable without an official sponsor to help cover the race and with our resources stretched thin we unfortunately could not stage it,” said Ironman Communications head Michael Flanagan.

The Iron Girl, famous for its pink colours, brought serious and fun athletes together.

The race is not dead and buried, however, and if a sponsor comes on board the event could make a comeback in the future.

The 9.2km race involved two loops of the Esplanade that were part of the Ironman route and ended at the official Ironman finish line.

Well known East London runner Hanlie Botha, who won the race in 2011 and would have competed in her fourth Iron Girl this year, said she was really disappointed the race had been cancelled.

“Every year the race was growing as more and more women came to do it,” she said.

“I would have raced again this year and hope that it will return one day.”