Posted: March 10, 2005

Triathlon: Port Macquarie, Australia, Gets Ironman Event

Ironman Australia Press Conference Announcement - the Future of Ironman Australia

IMG in conjunction with the NSW Major Events Board and the Hastings Council is pleased to announce the new venue for the 2006 Ironman Australia Triathlon is NSW coastal town, Port Macquarie. Port Macquarie will host this international event until at least 2010.

IMG, the licence holders of the Ironman brand within Australia have been searching for a venue that can cope with the phenomenal growth the event has experienced over the past three years.

“We have chosen Port Macquarie for a host of reasons that we believe will take this event to a new level. We have had incredible support from the Hastings Council and the many people involved in triathlon within the region. Port Macquarie have displayed, with their conducting of the Australian Long Course Championship over the last three years, that they are a council and community that get totally behind their events.

"The swim, bike and run courses will be spectacular with all three legs involving the Hastings River and the picturesque Port Macquarie shoreline. With the added benefits of ample accommodation, easy access by road or air and great restaurants and cafes, I believe the future of this event is in the best possible location,” said Dallas O’Brien, IMG Director of Triathlon.

The Port Macquarie community is well placed to prepare for the influx of athletes from around the world.

“The community of Port Macquarie is ecstatic about this world-class event coming to town as it is a tremendous opportunity to promote Port Macquarie and Hastings both nationally and internationally,” said Bernard Smith, General Manager of the Hastings Council. "This will also be a fantastic opportunity for community building and the civic pride this event will promote is priceless. The economic impact on the area both directly and indirectly will be enormous with an expected $8 million injection into the local economy directly from the Ironman event.”

Ironman triathletes from around Australia have been waiting for the venue announcement since the statement last week that Forster, NSW will no longer hold Ironman Australia after this year's event.

“There are many memories of the event that will stick with me forever, however the successful growth of Ironman within Australia will continue in Port Macquarie," explained Jason Shortis, the current Ironman Western Australia champion. “It was proven at the inaugural Ironman Western Australia Triathlon last November that Australia embraces Ironman and can be successful at a suitable venue as long as the Ironman brand is attached to it. I am sure athletes worldwide will support the new location,” says Shortis.

The opportunity for more international athletes to visit Australia to compete at the Ironman was also an exciting element to the Port Macquarie bid, as athletes will be able to fly to Port Macquarie via Sydney. Over 30,000 athletes compete at Ironman events around the world each year and with Ironman Australia held in April, the timing is perfect for international athletes to visit the new venue.

The Ironman Australia Triathlon is held over the distances of a 3.8km swim, 180.2km cycle and a 42.2km run and is a qualifier for the Ironman Triathlon World Championship held in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. In 2004, Australia became only the second country, behind the USA, to hold two Ironman events in one country.