The Mooloolaba Triathlon is set to be held from March 12-14, under an approved COVID Safe Event Plan.
Organisers IRONMAN Group Oceania have been working closely with stakeholders including Queensland Health, Sunshine Coast Council, Triathlon Australia, along with event contractors and suppliers.
The plan has been developed to manage the risks associated with the transmission of the virus, and provide an opportunity for athletes to take part in the event, in its 29th year.
Open and age group races will be held but International Triathlon Union elite races won’t be held at the festival this year.
The Mooloolaba Triathlon was staged last year, just before the Federal Government’s advice against mass gatherings became effective. An athlete subsequently tested positive.
Central to this year’s COVID Safe Event Plan is the COVID Safe Principles, which focuses on tracing, education, enhanced hygiene, density reduction, touchpoint minimisation, athlete self-reliance and screening.
Dave Beeche, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of The IRONMAN Group Oceania, thanked authorities for their collaboration on the plan.
“In developing the COVID Safe Event Plan for the Mooloolaba Triathlon we looked at all elements of the event, with the health of the community and all participants central to it,” he said in a press release.
“I’d like to thank everyone that our team worked with while developing the COVID Safe Event Plan, their support has allowed us to get into a position where we can host this popular event.
“Our team has already successfully staged two IRONMAN events in Queensland with approved COVID Safe Event Plans and we’ve put the learnings from both those events into developing the Mooloolaba Triathlon plan.
“The Mooloolaba Triathlon has a great history … it’s an event that is accessible to athletes of all levels and abilities and has a great community feel and we’re thrilled that we’re in a position to hold it again this year.”
The Mooloolaba Triathlon COVID Safe Event Plan has looked at all elements of the event, and changes will be implemented to meet The IRONMAN Group’s COVID Safe Principles.
Venue changes include making parts of the event village athlete access only, including athlete check-in, transition and swim start, with all queuing points to have markers to maintain 1.5m between individuals.
There will not be a Tri Club Village, with Tri Clubs encouraged to work with COVID Safe businesses in Mooloolaba to host any groups.
Athlete check-in and bike racking will take place by appointment only, with athletes to receive communication regarding this leading up to the event.
On race day the swim start will be restricted to athletes only, with no spectators to be allowed in the area.
Athletes will maintain 1.5m between each other when in the start chute, with cones to be placed on the ground to assist with physical distancing.
On course aid stations will be stocked as in previous years but athletes are encouraged to plan their race hydration and nutrition strategy to be as self-reliant as possible, with aid stations to be setup to allow for athletes to ‘grab and go.’
At the finish there will be additional space between athletes and spectators for a no-touch finish, with athletes to collect their medals and towels.
Support crew and spectators are asked not to attend this year’s event if possible, with the event app allowing for tracking of athletes virtually.
Those who do come to Mooloolaba on race day are asked to spectate from COVID Safe Businesses along the course, and those who are standing on the course are reminded to maintain physical distancing requirements.
