Calls for Coast to host major ironman
ONE of the world’s leading triathletes says the potential success of a full ironman in the Gold Coast or Tweed Heads region should be used to instigate the introduction of another by global brand Ironman.
Officials behind the Tweed Coast Enduro have floated the idea of having a full ironman distance race consisting of a 3.9km swim, 180km bike ride and 42.2km run as part of their 2020 event.
Byron Bay-based triathlete Tim van Berkel, who finished 12th in last year’s Ironman World Championship, said there was scope for Ironman to launch what would be the first race of the season in the Oceania region.
Australia already hosts the Ironman Australia in Port Macquarie in May along with events in Cairns in June and Busselton, Western Australia, in December.
“It would be good to have one around this area that carried points for Kona and prizemoney,” Van Berkel said.
“I think it would entice a lot of people. Many people from around the region do triathlon and for them to have a home race would be great.
“The time of the year would make it a very hot and humid race but there is room in the schedule.
“Why not have one here to start off the year?
“Holding it around February or March would be good because it could be the first of the series.”