Over 200 Compete In Airlie Beach Triathlon Festival

With the biggest professional field competing since the Cairns Ironman Triathlon the 24th running of the Coral Sea Marina Resort Airlie Beach Triathlon Festival proved an outstanding success on the weekend.

Held in perfect weather conditions for racing and with record fields of over 200 competitors, the Olympic Distance Triathlon was won by Charlie Quin (1.52.33) in the men’s division and Richelle Hill (2.01.56) in the women’s division.
 
Richelle Hill, 2012 Olympian Radka Kahlefeldt, and Cairns Ironman winner Hannah Berry staged a titanic duel on the swim and bike with all leaving for the final 10km run leg together, but it was 22 year-old Hill who had the fresher legs to surge away and defeat Kahlefeldt by over 90 seconds with Berry another 2 minutes back in third place.
 
In an equally hotly contested men’s event Charlie Quin had the perfect hit out before representing his country on the international stage at the ITU Long Course World Championship in Townsville in a few weeks’ time, beating Steven McKenna by 90 seconds with Matt Burton filling the final podium spot.
 
Whitsunday Triathlon Club President and Race Director Michael Kimpton said the weekend produced some amazing top class triathlon action with record numbers in the junior event on Saturday and also the Sprint, Enticer and Olympic Distance events on Sunday.
 
“What an incredible weekend of racing in the Heart of the Great Barrier Reef and my heartfelt thanks to all our visiting athletes, local competitors, and everyone who made this event a record-breaking success,” Michael Kimpton said.
 
“We saw an outstanding turnout, with huge fields in all our triathlon and swim events, a true testament to the growing popularity and spirit of our triathlon community.
 
“Our swim Ambassador, Olympic legend Susie O’Neill and race MC and the Voice of Triathlon, Pete Murray both did amazing jobs and raised the profile of our event onto the state and national stage.
  
“The Coral Sea Marina Resort Airlie Beach Triathlon is growing as a race like no other and a true celebration of our vibrant community spirit and the stunning natural beauty of the Whitsundays.
 
“Together, we are building an event that will continue to grow and a weekend of swimming, riding and running that we can all be proud of.”

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Susie O’Neill and Michael Kimpton
Open water swim participants after their warmup
Mayor Ry Collins waiting on the finish line
Airlie Beach Triathlon athletes starting their race in the water
Start of Airlie Beach Triathlon

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Photo credit: Daniel Heggie and Morgane Roggeman

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