The Coral Sea Marina Resort Airlie Beach Triathlon has been named runner-up in Australia for the Best Triathlon with under 500 competitors. This is an outstanding achievement for our region.
To finish runner-up is an extraordinary result for a smaller regional event and reflects the huge community effort behind the Triathlon Festival.
Race Directors Michael and Val Kimpton were honoured to accept the national runner-up award at the gala event held at RACV Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast last weekend.
"The work of the Event Management Team this year has been exceptional, with their dedication and professionalism helping the event surpass all objectives," they said.
"As a not-for-profit event run by volunteers and passionate supporters, our triathlon weekend is a major boost for the Whitsundays.
"Our runner up result is an outstanding effort for our smaller regional event, a performance where the whole community made a contribution to showcase our remarkable Triathlon Festival.
"The judging panel noted that the competition was incredibly close, reflecting the high calibre of all finalists and the quality of the Airlie Beach Triathlon."
The three-day festival begins on Friday evening with a professional athlete meet-and-greet and interview panel at Coral Sea Resort, the event’s Naming Sponsor. Saturday features race registration, the Junior Triathlon and the Ocean Swim, with Susie O’Neill as Swim Ambassador. Sunday morning hosts the main event, offering distances suited to all fitness levels, including family and corporate teams.
The festival concludes on Sunday night with the closing ceremony at Coral Sea Resort with a spectacular fireworks display, it is attended by 130 invitees including more than 60 local business sponsors, the nation’s top 20 professional athletes, local politicians, VIPs and Councillors.
Michael and Val Kimpton were proud to be runner up at the AusTriathlon Event of the Year under 500 participants. Photo supplied
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