YOUR GUIDE TO THE TRI FEST

THOUSANDS of Townsville’s fittest athletes will compete alongside visiting internationals for the Townsville Triathlon and Multisport Festival starting tomorrow.

This weekend’s festival will be based at Strand Park, featuring its traditional events such as the triathlon series, elite mile and kids’ tri.

The festival also encompasses a new “off road” schedule featuring 11 events of swimming, mountain biking and trail running on August 24-25.

Here’s what you need to know about the big festival.

WHEN IS IT BEING HELD?

The traditional “on road” festival will start tomorrow from 5.30am with race pack collections, followed by a race brief at 7am.

Action begins with the Duathlon National Championship starting at 7.15am, followed by the classic distance triathlon – which also encompasses the 2019 World Age Group qualifier – from 7.45am.

The sprint distance and sprint teams event starts at 8.15am followed by the enticer distance at 8.45am.

Sunday’s action kicks off with the elite mile at 7.30am, followed by the kids’ triathlon at 7.54am and the women’s triathlon at 8am.

The corporate teams event will be the last to get under way at 9am.

Post-race presentations are scheduled for 11.30am.

PRE-RACE DINNER

Australian Olympic swimmer Mack Horton and Townsville Fire star Abby Bishop will be special guests at tonight’s Dinner with the Stars at Strand Park.

Horton has won gold and silver medals at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games, and is one of Australia’s most prominent athletes.

He won gold in the 400m freestyle at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro and gold in the same event at last year’s Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.

Bishop recently signed for the Fire for their upcoming WNBL season and is one of the stars of Australian women’s basketball.

The former WNBL MVP and two-tme WNBL All Star will help fill the void left by retired Fire and WNBL legend Suzy Batkovic.

ROAD CLOSURES

The road along The Strand and streets in the local area around Jezzine Barracks will be closed on race days from 5am to 1pm.

TRANSITION AREA FACTS

Transition signage is located on all racks and is broken up by event, gender and age group.

Please ensure your helmet is on and done up before entering transition for checks by Triathlon Australia officials.

GEAR TENT ACCESS

The gear tent will be located in Strand Park on race days and will be open from 5am to noon.

Only necessary equipment can be left in the transition area and clear identification of property is recommended.

COURSES AND DISTANCES

Triathlon Series: (classic distance) 1500m swim, 40km bike, 10km run; (sprint distance) 750m swim, 20km ride, 5km run

Kids’ Tri: (7-9 years) 50m swim, 2km bike, 500m run; (10-14 years) 100m swim, 4km bike, 1km run

Tri4women: 100m swim, 4km bike, 1km run

Elite Mile: 1.6km sprint

Duathlon: 5km run, 20km bike, 2.5km run

Aquathlon: 1km run, 5km swim (will be held at the off road weekend)

CAN I STILL REGISTER?

Entries will be accepted on the day but a late fee of $20 will apply.

If you withdraw on race day before the race start, please advise the help desk near the gear tent and hand your timing band in.

If you withdraw during the race, please report to the Festival Information Centre and advise them you have withdrawn and hand your timing band in.

If you do withdraw please do not cross the finish line area.