Posted: August 23, 2004

Triathlon: “The Big Guns Of Ironman Triathlon Duelling It Out In The Paradise Of North Queensland”

Round Four - Road to Ironman Australia Qualifying Series
Cairns Half Ironman Triathlon - Cairns, Far North Queensland, Sunday August 29th, 2004

The awesome winter weather of far North Queensland’s have assisted race organisers of the Cairns Half Ironman Triathlon to secure both the 2nd and 5th placegetters from last years Ironman Triathlon World Championships in Hawaii.

Cameron Brown, four-time New Zealand Ironman Champion and now frequent podium finisher at both the Hawaiian Ironman and other international races is spending two weeks in North Queensland prior to his tilt at Kona. The warm weather, great training conditions, and hot competition at the Cairns Half Ironman will be a pleasant change from his arctic cold New Zealand winter base. 2002 Cairns winner Victorian Luke Bell is heading back from a successful US stint and is keen to add a second Cairns title to his resume prior to heading back to Kona.

Throw in the highly talented Mitch Anderson, back from a great 4th at Ironman Austria and a top 20 at Kona last year, Melbourne’s Paul Patrick a regular top 10 Ironman finisher, short course speedster Leon Griffin, Kiwi guns Giannis Koutsougannis, Steve Farrell and Paul Leitch and you have a serious Half Ironman field. Late entrants Dean King and Yeppoon Half Ironman winner Nick Saunders will add to this elite field of men.

The women’s field is not too shabby either with Half Ironman specialist and three-time winner Rebekah Keat back to equal Craig Alexanders record of four Cairns Half Ironman wins.

Fresh from a comfortable win at Yeppoon, Keat will take on up and coming elite Leesa White from Brisbane and Cairns’s own Caroline Cooksley, a regular podium finisher in many Half Ironman races last year and a winner by 25 mins in the recent NQ long course. Late entrants include Victorian Kim Wilson and Lisa Marangon, who will also add spice to the contest.

With plenty of Kona qualified age groupers seeking a solid hit-out before the big one in October, this years field looks like being the biggest and best yet for Cairns. A change in venue to the redeveloped Cairns Esplanade has helped boost competitor numbers and with so much to do in the tourist hotspot and everything within easy walking distance many are excited about the new race. The legendary post race party and live band at the Reef Casino and the friendly laid back North Queensland hospitality will ensure those making the journey will not be disappointed.

Apart from the large Auckland contingent there are also large groups from Brisbane and plenty of Melbournites looking to thaw out from the chilly winter conditions.

Now in its eighth year and with full road closure being granted for the next four years – expect this to be the start of a bigger and better Cairns Half Ironman.

For more information on the Cairns Half Ironman Triathlon contact: Scott Penny at 0412 963 263 or email vark@ozemail.com.au.