By CAROLINE STRAINIG
THE streets of the Hastings will be inundated with fit and healthy triathletes competing in the Toyota Ironman Australia Triathlon this Sunday – including many older people for whom the sport is a new or long-time passion.
Now in its 29th year, the triathlon is one of the longest-running events on the global ironman circuit.
Ironman Port Macquarie attracts thousands of athletes and this year 2070 people have registered to take part in the gruelling race, which kicks off at 6.30am on Sunday with a 3.8km Hastings River swim, followed by 180km bike course and 42.2km run.
Many hundreds more are also expected to contest the Port Iron 5km Fun Run and Ironkids Port Macquarie race on Saturday morning.
While the weekend is the focal point, athletes will arrive in town days ahead to train and become familiar with the route. Official events actually kick off as early as tonight with a triathlon degustation dinner at Oasis By the River.
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council group manager Economic Development Liesa Davies said Ironman injected around $8 million into the local economy and gave Port Macquarie invaluable exposure as a destination.
She said organisers needed up to 2000 volunteers to help with the many tasks associated with the event – which include athlete registration, bike and run course marshalling and aid stations – and she encouraged Hastings residents to become involved.
“It’s exciting to deliver a world-class event in a regional town and locals are encouraged to become part of the action either by signing their children up for the Ironkids event, joining the five-kilometre fun run, volunteering, spectating or checking out the health and fitness expo in the Glasshouse from 1 May,” Ms Davies said.
Local entrants in the big race include Camden Haven couple Ron and Beryl Wilson, who are both in their sixties and started triathlons only in 2004.
Earlier this year at the age of 62, Beryl was named the number-one age grouper in the world for her age category under the All World Athlete Champions system. In March this year, she won her age group at Ironman New Zealand and 63-year-old Ron also finished 8th.
For more information or to register to volunteer visit www.ironmanaustralia.com You can also register as a volunteer at the triathlon tent in Town Green today, tomorrow and Saturday.
Course maps and a frequently asked questions section are available on council’s website under the council-sponsored-events tab. Event organisers have once again also established a hotline (1300 835 411) for people who need advice to plan essential travel or have further event queries.
