Posted: September 16, 2004

Triathlon: IMG announces Ironman Western Australia Charity - The John Maclean Foundation

The inaugural Ironman Western Australia Triathlon, to be held in Busselton on November 28, received a boost today with the announcement that The John Maclean Foundation is to become the official charity of the event. The foundation supports children who use wheelchairs throughout Australia.

Maclean is an Ironman Hall of Fame inductee. He was the first athlete outside of the USA to be inducted, and is the only physically challenged athlete on this distinguished list. His name is etched in Ironman history alongside famous triathlon pioneers such as Mark Allen, Dave Scott, Julie Moss and Paula Newby-Fraser.

IMG Director of Triathlon, Dallas O’Brien delivered the good news. “Everyone is thrilled that John is involved in Ironman Western Australia both with his charity and as a competing athlete for his first Ironman on home soil.” Maclean has been training hard for the Busselton event and hopes to raise more than $50,000 for his foundation.

The John Maclean Foundation was established in 1998. The foundation’s mission is to “help junior wheelies get into life through sport”, and it has now raised more than $800,000 nationally and has provided assistance to thousands of everyday Australian wheelchair users under the age of 18.

After a seven-year break from triathlon, Maclean will again be joining athletes on the Ironman starting line with the hope of breaking the physically challenged world record. In a first for an Ironman event, athletes will have the opportunity to race under the banner of Team Maclean led by Maclean himself, in an effort to raise funds for his charity. Team members will receive triathlon racing apparel and sunglasses, as well as the opportunity to race with one of Australia’s greatest triathlon heroes.

Maclean is delighted to be racing in Australia after such a long break. “Being a part of Ironman Western Australia in its first year is an exciting moment for me. After competing internationally it’s great to be involved in an Ironman in Australia and it’s going to be a real test for me after a long absence in Ironman.

“This race is really about coming full circle for me. When I raced Hawaii, it was all for me. It was a personal thing. Now, I have the opportunity to race my first Ironman in Australia, but this time it’s not about me. It’s about the great kids that we are able to help out through the foundation,” John said.

Ironman Western Australia consists of a 3.8km swim alongside the famous 2-kilometre Busselton Jetty, an 180km cycle through the Ludlow Tuart Forest National Park and a 42.2km marathon run along the picturesque shores of Geographe Bay. There are 25 qualifying spots for the Ironman Triathlon World Championship held in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii as well as 150 spots for the 2005 Snap Ironman Australia Triathlon held in Forster-Tuncurry, NSW on April 3.

Entry is available online via www.ironmanwa.com until September 30, 2004.

For more information on how to join Team Maclean log onto www.jmf.com.au.