Police spokesperson, Colonel Priscilla Naidu, said they were 62-year-old Leon Stanvliet from George and 57-year-old Andre Trichardt of Durban.

She said they died in hospital after experiencing difficulty in the swimming challenge.

“Post mortems will be conducted to determine exact cause of death,” Naidu said.

Police have opened inquest dockets.  

In an earlier statement, Ironman South Africa said that “we are working with the local authorities to gather all details and will continue to do everything possible to provide a safe environment for our athletes”.

It also sent messages of condolence to the families of the two men.

Ben Hoffman of the United States is the 2019 Standard Bank Ironman African Championship winner.

He won his third event in South African in a time of 7:34:19 on Sunday ahead of Nils Frommhold of Germany in second place in a time of 07:40:12.

Multiple Ironman champion Michael Weiss of Austria was in third with a time of 07:42:35.

The best placed South African was Matt Trautmann in a time of 7:54:22 while local hero Kyle Buckingham withdrew with an injury.

Lucy Charles Barclay of Great Britain won the women’s event for the second time in a row in a time of 08:35:31.

Second place went to Spain’s Gurutze Frades in 08:40:47 and South African athlete Annah Watkinson was in third in a time of 08:43:18.

The 2019 event was, however, marred by the death of two competitors following the morning swim.

Algoa FM