Several Sunshine Coast roads, including a section of motorway, will close for an annual event that attracts thousands of people.
Key thoroughfares, including a stretch of the Sunshine Motorway, will be shut to vehicles for the 34th running of the Mooloolaba Triathlon festival this weekend.
Parkyn Parade, Brisbane Road, Mooloolaba Esplanade, Buderim Avenue, Alexandra Parade and First Avenue will be among the roads to be impacted on Saturday and Sunday, with some closures on Friday afternoon. The section of motorway between Pacific Paradise and Coolum Beach will be closed on Sunday, from 5am to midday.
An Ironman Group Asia-Pacific spokesperson stated that this year’s Mooloolaba Triathlon “is expected to inject approximately $6 million into the Sunshine Coast economy”.
The Ironman Group Asia-Pacific regional director Leanna Ali welcomed participants, their friends and families.
“This is an event that appeals to so many different people, from those starting out in triathlon, to veterans of the sport, and we look forward to having them all swimming, riding and running their way through Mooloolaba and its surrounds across the weekend,” she said via a media release.
“The Mooloolaba Triathlon has grown over the years to become one of the highlights of the Sunshine Coast events calendar.
“From its first running back in 1993 with 255 individual competitors and 74 teams, to this year, when we will welcome more than 4400 athletes and hundreds of volunteers. The Mooloolaba Triathlon is an event not to miss.”
The Sprint Triathlon (750m swim, 20km ride, 5km run) will take place on Saturday, and the Standard Triathlon (1.5km swim, 40km ride and 10km run) will take place on Sunday.
The swim leg is earmarked for Mooloolaba Beach, off The Spit. The bike route includes the motorway and the run leg is set for Mooloolaba and Alexandra Headland.
There was heavy rain and rough surf to start the week, before the sky cleared on Tuesday, and some rain is forecast for the weekend.
An event spokesperson said that organisers were keeping an eye on the conditions.
“The Mooloolaba Triathlon team are continuing to monitor weather and water conditions in the lead up to this weekend’s event, as the team does with all events.”
“At this stage there is no indication that any alterations will need to be changed to the event format, or schedule, however if the situation changes athletes will be communicated with directly.”
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The Mooloolaba Triathlon is supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland and through Sunshine Coast Council’s Major Events Sponsorship program.
There will be shuttle buses running and some free parking.
Road and car park closures
Set-up and pack down:
- Northern Parklands, total parklands closure, diversion off foot traffic, Monday, March 9, 4am to Tuesday, March 17, 5pm
- Northern Parklands, total parklands closure, diversion off foot traffic, Monday, March 9, 4am to Tuesday, March 17, 5pm
- Charles Clark Park, total car park closure, Monday, March 9, 4am to Wednesday, March 18, 5pm
- Parkyn Parade Pirate Ship car park, car park closure opposite boat ramp, Monday, March 9, 4am to Wednesday, March 18, 5pm
- Parkyn Parade parkland car park, car park closure opposite Pier 33, Tuesday, March 10, 4am to Tuesday, March 17, 5pm
- Parkyn Parade Rotary car park, car park closure opposite Fisheries on the Spit, Thursday, March 12, 4am to Monday, March 16, 5pm
Friday, March 13:
- Beach Terrace & car park, full road and car park closure, 4.30am to 7pm
- Brisbane Road, between First Avenue and Mooloolaba Esplanade, 1pm to 2.30pm
- Mooloolaba Esplanade, between Brisbane Rd and Venning Street, 1pm to 2.30pm
Saturday, March 14:
- Parkyn Parade, between River Esplanade and Mooloolaba Beach Holiday Park driveway, 4am to 11am
- Parkyn Parade, access to The Spit via Wharf car park; no access to caravan park, 4am to 11am
- River Esplanade, between Hancock Street and Mooloolaba Esplanade, 4am to 11am
- Hancock Street eastbound, between River Esplanade and Brisbane Road, 4am to 11am
- Brisbane Road, between Walan Street and Mooloolaba Esplanade, 4.30am to 11am
- First Avenue, between Brisbane Road and First Lane, 4.30am to 10.30am (local access 4.30am to 6am)
- First Lane, between First Avenue and Muraban Street, 4.30am to 10.30am (local access 4.30am to 6am)
- Muraban Street, between First Lane and Walan Street, 4.30am to 10.30am (local access 4.30am to 6am)
- Walan Street, between Muraban Street and Venning Street, 4.30am to 10.30am
- Venning Street, between Muraban Street and Mooloolaba Esplanade, 4.30am to 10.30am
- Mooloolaba Esplanade, between River Esplanade and Buderim Avenue, 4.30am to 11am
- Alexandra Parade, between Buderim Avenue and Sixth Avenue, 5am to 11am
- Buderim Avenue, between Mooloolaba Esplanade and Douglas Street, 5am to 11am
Sunday, March 15:
- Parkyn Parade, between River Esplanade and Mooloolaba Beach Holiday Park driveway, 4am to 1.15pm
- Parkyn Parade, access to The Spit via Wharf car park; no access to caravan park, 4am to 1.15pm
- River Esplanade, between Hancock Street and Mooloolaba Esplanade, 4am to 1.15pm
- Hancock Street eastbound, between River Esplanade and Brisbane Rd, 4am to 1.15pm
- Brisbane Road, between Walan Street and Mooloolaba Esplanade, 4.30am to 1.15pm
- First Avenue, between Brisbane Road and First Lane, 4.30am to 11am (local access 4.30am to 6am)
- First Lane, between First Avenue and Muraban Street, 4.30am to 11am (local access 4.30am to 6am)
- Muraban Street, between First Lane and Walan Street, 4.30am to 11am (local access 4.30am to 6am)
- Walan Street, between Muraban and Venning Street, 4.30am to 11am
- Venning Street, between Muraban Street and Mooloolaba Esplanade, 4.30am to 11am
- Buderim Avenue, between Mooloolaba Esplanade and Douglas Street, 5am to 1.45pm
- Buderim Avenue, between Douglas Street and Sunshine Motorway, 5am to 12.15pm
- Sunshine Motorway, David Low Way, Pacific Paradise to Coolum/Yandina roundabout, total closure, 5am to 12pm
- Sunshine Motorway southbound lanes, David Low Way, Pacific Paradise to Mooloolaba Rd, 5am to 12pm
- Mooloolaba Esplanade, between River Esplanade and Buderim Avenue, 4.30am to 2.45pm
- Alexandra Parade, between Buderim Avenue and Mayfield Street, 5am to 1.45pm
- Alexandra Parade southbound, between Mayfield Street and Sixth Avenue, 5am to 1.45pm
For a full list of road closures, schedule, services and more see the event website.
