Multisport Magazine Issue 22 | Page 28

TRIATHLON EVENTS IT'S GETTING E&E WASTE HELL OF THE WEST TO TEST AUSTRALIA'S BEST IN 2017 BY SHANE SMITH Q IN HERE! ueensland’ s longest running long distance triathlon event, the ‘Hell of the West’, Goondiwindi is set to host the sport's best athletes after being awarded the National Elite Long Course Triathlon Championships by Triathlon Australia. In its second year as the National Long Course Championships for age-group athletes, the new title is set to see the 2017 E&E Waste Hell of the West become the state’ s premier long-distance event. With over 700 athletes competing in 2016 it is expected numbers will rise as clubs from Queensland and NSW continue to embrace this iconic event. Held in the small but vibrant western Queensland town of Goondiwindi, the event has attracted several of the sports’ biggest stars in recent years including Canadian legend Lisa Bentley, and Tim Berkel who recently won Ironman Cairns. The race has also launched the international careers ofathletes such as Nick Croft, Ben Bright, Collette Gunn and Bianca Van Woesick who are all A ustralian representatives. Goondiwindi Club President Brett Corish gratefully accepted the National Elite Long Course title on behalf of the event committee. “This new title will only enhance our reputation of being one of the best races in Australia. We are a lub-run event but have always taken a very professional approach when producing this race. Our recently retired race director, David Vincent, was one of the longest serving race directors in Australia and while he is still involved, we have secured the services of Kerry Stubbs for a second year, who now oversees the operations and advises the local race committee. “This appointment has helped us raise the standard even further and we are excited to showcase our event to the sport's best athletes as well as our loyal 28 | MULTISPORT MAGAZINE age group competitors,” said Corish. Regarded as one of the sport's toughest races, the event is held over the traditional long course distances of a 2km swim, 80km cycle and 20km run. The heat and loneliness of the course adds to its reputation as a tough event however the local volunteers are renowned for being some of the best in triathlon. The race will take place on February 5, 2017 and entries are now open. F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N C O N TA C T: E : a d m i n @ h e l l o f t h e w e s t .c o m .a u W : w w w. h e l l o f t h e w e s t .c o m