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He is Back – Kura Mazongo to Tackle Second Ironman

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Following his remarkable feat last year, Kura Mazongo, will be back again to take on the IRONMAN African Championship triathlon event on Sunday, 3 April 2022 in Nelson Mandela Bay. The 46 year-old local Engen petrol attendant inspired many last year when he defied all odds by overcoming financial barriers and lack of sporting resources to achieve his dream of finishing an IRONMAN, completing it in a time of 14:01:44; a race that was described as one of the toughest as athletes had to contend with rough seas and strong wind conditions on the bike and run courses.

Zimbabwean born, Kura moved to South Africa in 2007 and has resided in Nelson Mandela Bay ever since, where he stays with his wife and three kids. He works as a petrol attendant at a local Engen fueling station in Mount Pleasant. Becoming an IRONMAN has been a dream of his and after taking part in four Comrades marathons and four Two Oceans marathon events, he decided to defy all odds and chase the IRONMAN red carpet. He fulfilled this dream on Sunday, 21 November 2021 where he successfully finished one of the hardest triathlon events in the world. And what stood out most to his peers was that after finishing (swim, bike and running for over 14 hours and arriving home at 22h00), Kura arrived at work promptly the following morning 06h00 sharp, “I was so tired, but I was excited to show my colleagues, employers and customers my IRONMAN finisher medal. This was not to show off, I was very proud to have reached my dream and wanted to show everyone that supported me that I did it.”

Having experience what IRONMAN racing is all about, Kura will be better prepared this year, “I am doing a lot more mileage in training to try better my time. Let’s just hope the weather is a lot better than last year on race day, the wind must stay away [he laughs]. I haven’t found a group that I can train with so I’m reading a book to try help and guide me along. It’s a triathlon-based book called Going Long [written by Joe Friel and Gordon Byrn].”

On race day, Kura’s morning will begin with a 3.8-kilometer swim at Kings Beach, Humewood. Coming out the ocean swim, he will head into Transition where he will fetch his bike before heading out on the 180.2-kilometer bike course. The IRONMAN African Championship bike course is arguably the most spectacular on the IRONMAN global circuit. The two-loop course takes athletes through city suburbs and over the hill to Seaview. From Seaview, athletes are redirected to the scenic views of Maitlands before heading back to Transition via the Nelson Mandela Bay beachfront allowing athletes to enjoy the sweeping views of the ocean, the rugged coastline and adjacent countryside all the way back to Kings Beach where athletes start their second lap before taking on the run course. The 42.2 kilometer flat run course will be the last hurdle that Kura and participating athletes will face. The multiple loop marathon run course takes athletes up and down Marine Drive through Summerstrand and Humewood beach fronts, with the finish line chute situated at Hobie Beach.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.