Queensland Government secures future of mass participation events

The long-term future of some of Queensland’s favourite mass participation sporting events has been locked in with the signing of a new agreement between the Queensland Government and The IRONMAN Group Oceania.

Under the new agreement, key events including the Cairns Airport IRONMAN Asia-Pacific Championship Cairns, Garmin Noosa Triathlon, Qatar Airways IRONMAN 70.3 Sunshine Coast, Mooloolaba Triathlon, and Runaway Noosa Marathon are secure for at least the next five years.

Advising that the new agreement delivered five more years of certainty for triathlon in Tropical North Queensland,

Advising that the IRONMAN Group Oceania agreement locks in a series of world-class events, Queensland Tourism and Sport Minister, Stirling Hinchliffe stated “for IRONMAN and triathlon competitors, support crews and spectators, there is no doubt Queensland is the place to be.

“(Investment) in major events like IRONMAN … brings visitors to Queensland destinations who in turn back local businesses and good Queensland jobs.

“Our support for The IRONMAN Group Oceania delivers five events a year over five years, generating more than $300 million for visitor economies on the Sunshine Coast and Tropical North Queensland.”

Geoff Meyer, Managing Director of The IRONMAN Group Oceania, said that the team is delighted to be continuing the successful partnership with the Queensland Government to deliver these world class events throughout the state.

Meyer noted “the Queensland Government and The IRONMAN Group Oceania have a long history of successfully delivering world class events across Queensland, including the world’s largest Olympic distance triathlon, the Garmin Noosa Triathlon, and the Cairns Airport IRONMAN Asia-Pacific Championship Cairns which was recently voted the best IRONMAN Series race in the world.

“These events are incredibly important not only to the those taking part but to the local communities in which they are held, and we’re thrilled that the Queensland Government has secured the future of these events for at least the next five years.

“These events bring athletes and their families and supporters to Queensland from across Australia and around the world, injecting tens of millions of dollars into the state’s economy each year.

“With the long-term future of these events secured we look forward to working closely with the Queensland Government to continue to grow them, bringing more people to the state and showing off Queensland as the host of world-class mass participation sporting events.”

The Cairns Airport IRONMAN Asia-Pacific Championship Cairns will be held on Sunday 18th June, with the Qatar Airways IRONMAN 70.3 Sunshine Coast returning on Sunday 10th September, ahead of the Garmin Noosa Triathlon from 1st to 5th November.

The Mooloolaba Triathlon will bring athletes back to the Sunshine Coast on 9th and 10th March 2024, with Runaway Noosa to be held again next May.

Images: Finish line for the Mooloolaba Triathlon (top, credit: Korupt Vision), the Cairns Airport IRONMAN Asia-Pacific Championship (middle, credit: Korupt Vision) and the Garmin Noosa Triathlon (below, credit: Noosa Triathlon).