The long-term future of four Sunshine Coast mass participation sports events, including the world’s largest Olympic distance triathlon, has been secured.
The Noosa Triathlon, IRONMAN 70.3 Sunshine Coast, Mooloolaba Triathlon and Noosa Marathon are locked in for at least the next five years, after an agreement was reached by the Queensland Government and The IRONMAN Group Oceania.
A deal was also reached for IRONMAN Asia-Pacific Championship in Cairns.
Tourism and Sport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said it ensured more world-class events, leading up to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“For IRONMAN and triathlon competitors, support crews and spectators, there is no doubt Queensland is the place to be,” he said.
“We know they (the events) bring visitors to Queensland destinations, who in turn back local businesses and good Queensland jobs.
“Our support for The IRONMAN Group Oceania delivers five events a year over five years, generating more than $300 million for visitor economies on the Sunshine Coast and Tropical North Queensland.”
The IRONMAN Group Oceania managing director Geoff Meyer said the team was delighted to bring world-class events throughout the state.
“The Queensland Government and The IRONMAN Group Oceania have a long history of successfully delivering world-class events across Queensland, including the world’s largest Olympic distance triathlon, the Garmin Noosa Triathlon, and the Cairns Airport IRONMAN Asia-Pacific Championship Cairns, which was recently voted the best IRONMAN Series race in the world,” he said.
“These events are incredibly important not only to the those taking part but to the local communities in which they are held, and we’re thrilled that the Queensland Government has secured the future of these events for at least the next five years.
“These events bring athletes and their families and supporters to Queensland from across Australia and around the world, injecting tens of millions of dollars into the state’s economy each year.
“With the long-term future of these events secured we look forward to working closely with the Queensland Government to continue to grow them, bringing more people to the state and showing off Queensland as the host of world-class mass participation sporting events.”
The Qatar Airways IRONMAN 70.3 Sunshine Coast will be held on Sunday, September 10, ahead of the Garmin Noosa Triathlon from November 1-5.
The Mooloolaba Triathlon will bring athletes back to the Sunshine Coast on March 9-10, next year, with Runaway Noosa to be held again next May.
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