HOSPITALITY BUSINESSES FIT AND FAB FOR CHAOTIC WEEKEND
Early starts and heaps of high-carb options what this weekend is all about
FAR Northern businesses are preparing for a busy weekend of early-morning coffees and carb-heavy lunches to service the thousands of athletes who have descended on Cairns for Ironman 2019.
Chill Cafe Palm Cove, just around the corner from the starting line on the Palm Cove Esplanade, will be opening at 4am to serve the early rising athletes.
Cafe general manager Tobiah Balbock said they loved the atmosphere Ironman brought to the northern beaches.
“Every year, the main thing we love about Ironman is the return customers and friendly faces that come to support us,” he said.
“It brings a sense of pride to the area and we love talking to the athletes about how they’re training and building up for it.”
Mr Balbock said extra staff were rostered on to beat the morning rush.
“We typically get a massive influx of takeaway coffee and muffin orders,” he said.
“It stays busy around breakfast and brunch time before dying down later in the afternoon and picking up again in the evening as people come to celebrate the end.
“During the day we get heaps of spectators because we have a nice view of the ocean from where you can see the swimmers.”
The coffee and muffins provide the morning energy, but the “food” of Ironman is pasta and seafood carb-heavy meals to fuel top-condition athletes.
Mr Balbock said they would be running specials on creamy seafood pasta and beef lasagne, as well as breakfast muffins.
Competitors who present their wristbands will receive a 50 per cent discount.
“It’s a big thank you for them coming in and supporting us, plus a congratulations for their awesome feats,” Mr Balbock said.
For many businesses, the hectic atmosphere begins the week before Ironman, as athletes descend on Cairns to train.
Palm Cove Tavern hotel manager Karla Barker said local resorts had been filling up and business had been getting busier over the past week.
“It was fairly chaotic last year and we’re expecting the same again this year,” she said.
“Many of the roads will be closed off around the area, so I’ve sent reminders to all the staff to allow extra time to get here.”
Ironman Cairns will start at Palm Cove at 7.35am tomorrow.
The Captain Cook Highway, north of Veivers Road Palm Cove to Old Port Road at Port Douglas, will be closed to all traffic from 5.30am to 5.30pm