Roberts sets a new goal
Coast champion focused on success across ditch
THIS weekend’s Mooloolaba Triathlon will form part of Madi Roberts’ campaign to reach the Ironman 70.3 World Championships after dabbling in marathon running.
The Gold Coaster and 2017 age group triathlon world champion has shifted her focus back to the three-disciplined sport in a bid to reach the world titles, to be held in Taupo, New Zealand.
Roberts, 25, hasn’t raced the Mooloolaba Triathlon since 2017, qualifying for and then winning her age group at ITU World Championships in Rotterdam, but she is keen to get back to the Sunshine Coast to tackle the country’s top female athletes over the standard distance course.
“I was just curious to see what I could do on the marathon because the run has always been my best leg in triathlon,” Roberts said ahead of Sunday’s race.
“I love just running and it was nice to just focus on one thing, but my body couldn’t deal with the constant impact from the training.
“My goal was to go under three hours but I ended up injured during my prep and I only got eight weeks training in but ran a 3:01. All things considered I was pretty happy.
“I was watching the Kingscliff race late last year and I had been doing some swimming and riding while injured and enjoying it. I thought if I am enjoying it so much, I might as well get back into triathlon properly.
“Since I got back into triathlon I have done two sprint distance events, so Mooloolaba will be opportunity to step up the distance again before I start racing 70.3 again.”
Winner of both Ironman 70.3 Port Macquarie and 70.3 New Zealand in 2018, plus fifth in her age group at the 70.3 World Championship in South Africa, Roberts said she was keen to see if she can step up onto the podium in 2020.
“The Ironman 70.3 worlds are crazy but I still feel like I haven’t nailed it yet,” Roberts said. “I still get a bit overwhelmed with it, maybe because I have raced in Taupo before I might be more chilled, not so overwhelmed and race better. It definitely will be a lot more familiar to me, so the main goal is Taupo worlds with Mooloolaba Triathlon, 70.3 Cairns and 70.3 Sunshine Coast along the way.”