RACE PREVIEW
Weekend in the Whitsundays
WITH AIRLIE BEACH TRIATHLON
BY STEPHEN JACKSON
Destination races don ’ t get any better than the COLORBOND Airlie Beach Triathlon . Intimate and unique race experiences for all the family , a diverse range of accommodation options , a great choice of quality food and an assortment of pre and post race fun to be had in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef ; this is the ultimate ‘ racecation ’.
An event that , like most , started as a stand-alone triathlon , has continued to evolve and eventually became an event weekend . Kicking off proceedings this year is the first Community Carnival complete with free jumping castles , face painting , live music and fireworks , supported by an array of food trucks and stalls to satisfy everyone – from the health conscious to those with a sweet tooth !
Saturday morning sees the staging of an Ocean Swim after the obligatory loosen up at Airlie Beach parkrun . The Ocean Swim offers a Junior Swim , a short course 750m event including an ‘ Anything Goes ’ division for those who need aids or just want to have a little fun . For the more serious , a 2km swim in the azure waters of the Coral Sea is not a bad way to start the weekend . Entry to the swim comes at a discount rate of just $ 10 for anyone involved in the triathlon and the race pack for 2017 includes a set of swim paddles to go home and work on returning to PB the following year .
Start your recovery for the triathlon with some scrumptious snacks and the obligatory souvenir knick-knack from the Airlie Beach Markets held every Saturday morning . Take your pick of accommodation within Airlie Beach and everything is walking distance from the Markets , to the main street and its abundance of food offerings as well as the race precinct itself . There ’ s no stress finding a park on race morning at this event , and with flights into the region from Brisbane , Sydney and Melbourne plus free transfers to your hotel for competitors , there ’ s every reason to end your winter hiatus with some fun in the sun in the Whitsundays !
The race precinct is then overrun with the stars of the future for the Ergon Energy Kidzpower Triathlon . Bragging rights go on the line as its mate against mate , school against school in the participation focused event . A unique inter-school rivalry is held with $ 1000 worth of sporting equipment on the line in the McDonalds Schools Championship . The scoring system rewards participation on a per capita basis ; even the small schools have a shot ! There ’ s bonus points for volunteers supplied which sees a lot of kids out on course for the adults the next day as well as credits for staff participation in the event which draws on every ounce of school spirit to get everyone involved .
If the day of action has worn you down , then settle in for some action on the big screen ! Bring a blanket or your beach towel and snare a spot on the grass , grab some take-away and enjoy a free movie at the Seaside Cinema . Intent on offering a complete weekend of fun for those travelling solo or in a tribe , the movie is just another aspect that will make this race one that you won ’ t forget .
Sunday is race day and the sprint distance event is the headline act . With the race coming up on twenty years of history , its winners ’ honour role is a veritable who ’ s who of Aussie triathlon with an array of triathlon greats having claimed the title including Courtney Atkinson , Nicole Hackett , Miles Stewart and Rebekah Keat all having graced the winners ’ podium . Multiple champion Sam Betten has in recent years used this as a hit out for the World 70.3 ’ s which inevitably fall shortly thereafter , but for many it ’ s a kickstart into the season proper .
The early September date signals the start of the North Queensland season with events in neighbouring Mackay , Townsville and Hamilton Island all run , won and done by November to beat the heat and humidity . For southern athletes , this is often the launching pad for training into the summer season with the race typically eight weeks out from Noosa Tri .
The main event has a team ’ s division with categories for male , female and mixed teams whilst an enticer event is a great bridge between the popular junior races or the kickstart to the addictive world of triathlon . The swim is perhaps one of the most picturesque swims in the country ; set in a sheltered bay just off Airlie Beach itself , a small field reduces the stress for weaker swimmers ( and plenty of space and reward for the stronger swimmers ) shouldered by a headland that runs parallel allowing spectators an ideal platform for viewing . Onto the bike and the course is testing with the best views found at the top of the climbs ; organisers haven ' t forgotten to show off their greatest assets ! The upside is , the loop course is great for your fans and they can see you swing past albeit at top speed ! As a reward , the run course has been kept nice and flat for your big finish , with the course winding its way along the Bicentennial Boardwalk to Abell Point and back again . With the water lapping underneath the timber boardwalk whilst you tap away on top , it will be a run course that carries you home . The biggest challenge of the COLORBOND Airlie Beach Triathlon is finding a reason not to come .
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