You better not consider an Ironman 70.3 as that is 5 times that price. A typical running road race will cost your R300+, a road cycle race R400+, the replacement of just a road tire will be R700+
So R700 is not a lot by the time you factor in venue costs, having medical staff available as well as marshals and nutrition out on course. Even with sponsorship they still have to make a profit as it is a business and there are still other costs on top of what have mentioned. (barriers/transition area/tents/signs/public liability insurance etc)
Perhaps you should re-evaluate what things costs these days, and also realise that the sport of triathlon is not cheap, and that does not factor in the entry cost.
