Festival goes to next level
Triathletes to descend on city
THIS year’s Townsville Triathlon and Multisport Festival has been expanded over two weekends and will now include off-road races.
The offroad leg will include mountain biking and trail running at Pallarenda.
Townsville Triathlon and Multisport Festival chairman Jamie Fitzpatrick said the festival also secured three ITU World Championship qualifying events, making the city a “signature location for triathlon in Australia”.
“The finishing position of these races will determine the selection points for each competitor, giving them a chance race at Edmonton in Canada or Almere in Amsterdam in 2020,” he said.
“These qualifying events will bring interstate visitors to Townsville as they vie for their selection points and providing a good boost to the economy.”
Local triathlete Conor Mckay, who will be competing for the fifth time, said the World Championship qualifiers would encourage more interstate competitors to compete in Townsville.
“Out-of-town athletes will travel to experience the qualifying events and this gives them the chance to practise the course for the 2021 World Championships,” Mckay said.
Townsville multi-event athlete Joanne Fairbrother said Townsville hosting the Townsville Triathlon and Multisport Festival would benefit local athletes.
“I think it’s absolutely fantastic because normally to do certain events we have to travel out of town, so it costs us a lot of money,” she said.
Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill said it was perfect for such world-class events.
“Hosting these events gives our city a major economic boost with visitors staying in our accommodation, eating in our restaurants, telling our story and enjoying the local attractions,” she said.
The Townsville Triathlon and Multisport Festival will start on August 17.