MOOLOOLABA TRIATHLON - CELEBRATING 21 YEARS

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MOOLOOLABA, March 6: Now in its 21st year, The Mooloolaba Triathlon Festival continues its impressive reputation on the Australian event calendar.

Over 5,000 individual and team competitors will take to the renowned Mooloolaba Triathlon course in 2013.

The Mooloolaba International Triathlon Union’s (ITU) Premium Oceania Cup provides our rising stars the opportunity to earn valuable qualifying points while also hosting the prestigious ITU World Cup for our elite athletes.

Photo credit: EYES WIDE OPEN IMAGES | BARRY ALSOP

The Mooloolaba Triathlon features as race two in the 2012/2013 Luke Harrop Bursary, the first race being the Noosa Triathlon and the final round on the Gold Coast - Luke Harrop Memorial, on Sunday April 14. The Bursary provides financial assistance to our Under 23 athletes.

Celebrating the events 21st anniversary, Mooloolaba’s history has played a vital role in the development of the sport in Australia.

Mooloolaba will open the 2013 ITU World Cup season, which marks the ninth year the Australian coastal destination will host a World Cup race.

“The ITU World Cup series is a critical pathway that paves a bridge to elite success for ITU athletes. Mooloolaba has always attracted a world class field as many international teams base themselves on the Sunshine Coast in preparation for the upcoming season,” said Geoff Meyer, USM EVENTS |IRONMAN ASIA-PACIFIC Chief Executive Officer.

“The SUBARU Mooloolaba ITU Triathlon World Cup continues to be a race favourite, providing fast and exciting racing over one of the world’s toughest courses. In addition the World Cup is a chance for athletes to secure vital qualifying points towards the World Championships in London.”

The world’s best triathletes will come together on Saturday 16 March (Elite Men at 3:00pm) and Sunday 17 March (Elite Women at 12:45pm) to contest the first leg of the ITU World Cup series.

Since the first Mooloolaba Triathlon in May 1993 the event has grown to become the second largest triathlon in Australia behind its counterpart Noosa, which opens the triathlon season.

Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games, Jann Stuckey, said the Sunshine Coast was renowned for staging highly successful triathlon events, attracting competitors from around the world.

“The Mooloolaba Triathlon is one of the largest Olympic Distance triathlons in Australia, with athletes coming from interstate and overseas to compete,” Ms Stuckey said.

“The event is also popular with spectators, and allows us to showcase the region as a premier holiday and event destination.

“Events like the Mooloolaba Triathlon and Multi-Sport Festival reinforce the Sunshine Coast’s reputation as Australia’s home of triathlon, joining the Noosa Triathlon and IRONMAN 70.3 Sunshine Coast in 2013.

“The Newman Government is proud to support major sporting events like this as part of our commitment to increase annual overnight visitor expenditure to $30 billion by 2020.”

The Olympic distance Mooloolaba Triathlon is the centre piece of a 3-day multi sport festival that celebrates the best of the Australian summer lifestyle, at one of the world’s premier beachside resort locations.

In all across the 3-days of events close to 9,000 competitors will have taken part and approximately 70,000 spectators set to enjoy all the weekend has to offer.

"Participant numbers across all events have more than doubled since 2008 which is a great testament to the festival and hard work invested. It is a great outcome for the event and the local economy,” Mr. Meyer said.

The Mooloolaba course is idyllic, swimming in the warm, clean waters of the Pacific Ocean, riding along smooth roads with hinterland scenery and a stunning run course with ocean views the entire way.

The program is packed with all your favourites for 2013, the Asics Twilight 5km Run, Mooloolaba 1km Ocean Swim, Mooloolaba Superkidz Triathlon, Mooloolaba Triathlon and Mooloolaba Teams.

New to 2013 line-up is the Mooloolaba Special Triathlon. The Mooloolaba Special Triathlon is one of three only triathlon specifically held for people with special needs. All participants receive a participation medallion. This triathlon showcases some of the most special moments of the weekend with the emphasis on fun and enjoyment.

There is also the massive Mooloolaba Sport and Lifestyle Expo which will be open across the three days. This year a bigger variety of exhibitors will be sampling, selling and displaying their products. Presentations on Sunday afternoon at the Wharf Tavern and after party are a must.

The Mooloolaba Esplanade has a range of restaurants from beachfront cafes to fine dining and fabulous boutiques. The Mooloolaba Esplanade is a popular cosmopolitan area to relax, eat, watch the surf, just grab a coffee or take part in the Mooloolaba Triathlon Festival.

The Mooloolaba Triathlon Festival will run from Friday March 15 – Sunday March 17 2013.

For entries and further event information visit www.mooloolabatri.com.au

For further media enquiries:
Lisa Pringle 0417 005 743 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Courtney Akrigg 0411 167 975 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Mooloolaba Triathlon Festival is supported by Tourism and Events Queensland as part of a growing calendar of sporting, cultural and regional events across the State.

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Issued on behalf of Mooloolaba Triathlon by

Ian Hanson

For the latest follow @AYOF2013 on Twitter.