More than 1500 triathletes will converge on the region this weekend, for IRONMAN 70.3 Sunshine Coast.
The Sunday race starts from 6am and it will include a 1.9km ocean swim at Mooloolaba Beach, a flat 90km ride along the Sunshine Motorway and a rolling 21km run through Alexandra Headland, Maroochydore and Mooloolaba.
Some of the best vantage points for spectators should be on the sand at Mooloolaba Spit for the swim leg, at Parkyn Parade Park for the transition, along Alexandra Parade for the ride and run, and at the finish line on Beach Terrace. First finishers are expected at about 9.40am.
IRONMAN 70.3 Sunshine Coast will see a number of changed traffic conditions between Friday and Sunday, including the closure of a section of the Sunshine Motorway on race day. A full list of impacted roads can be found here.
Rob Stalling, Regional Director for The IRONMAN Group Oceania, said preparations were well underway for the event.
“We can’t wait to see more than 1500 athletes take in the best of the Sunshine Coast on Sunday,” he said.
“Border and travel restrictions has meant that the event will primarily feature Queensland-based athletes, but we’re thrilled with the response from those who can make it to the Sunshine Coast.”
“Last year this event was the first of its kind to take place in Queensland following the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic and we thank the local community for their support in making it a great success.
“This year there will be plenty of opportunity for people to get out and about to cheer on their family and friends taking part, (but) we do ask that those attending the event abide by the latest public health directions from Queensland Health.”
IRONMAN has implemented a number of COVID Safe measures for the event, following the successful running of last year’s edition.
This includes increased cleaning, hygiene measures, regular washing of hands and the availability of hand sanitiser.
Spectators are asked to support COVID-Safe measures, like avoiding possible high density situations and cleaning their hands at wash stations.
Athlete check-in and bike racking will take place by appointment only, with distance markers on the floor where queues are, and all attendees will be asked to check in using the Check In Qld app.
Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/scnews2020/
IRONMAN 70.3 Sunshine Coast, supported by the Queensland Government, has attracted some of Australia’s best triathletes.
The elite men’s division boasts multiple IRONMAN 70.3 race winner Josh Amberger, Matt Burton and IRONMAN 70.3 Geelong winner Steve McKenna.
The elite women’s division includes Gillian Backhouse, who won gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in the mixed relay triathlon and IRONMAN 70.3 Sunshine Coast 2019 champion Hannah Wells, who won IRONMAN New Zealand earlier this year and has been based in the region for the past couple of months.
Help keep independent and fair Sunshine Coast news coming by subscribing to our free daily news feed. All it requires is your name and email. See SUBSCRIBE at the top of this article.
Australian Aaron Royle and New Zealand’s Amelia Watkinson won the elite men’s and women’s divisions last year.
Switzerland’s Carolina Steffen, a former Mooloolaba resident, is the only competitor to win the race multiple times (2014, 2015 and 2018).
The event was first held in 2013 and its inception further enhanced the Sunshine Coast’s reputation for mass participation endurance events.
The Mooloolaba Triathlon and the Noosa Triathlon are also held in the region, via IRONMAN, while the Sunshine Coast Marathon, run by Atlas Events, also attracts bumper entries.
This weekend’s event will also include a sport and lifestyle expo and live music at The Wharf, Mooloolaba. The professional races and age group races will start from 6am at Mooloolaba Beach on Sunday.
For more information visit ironman.com/im703-sunshine-coast.
