More than 2100 athletes from more than 40 countries are converging on Port Macquarie for the 31st running of Ironman Australia, the longest running Ironman event in Australia, to be held on Sunday, May 1.
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Included in this number is a contingent from the Eurocoast Triathlon Club.
For the first time, Ironman Australia will be run on the same day as its little brother, Ironman 70.3.
An Ironman triathlon consists of a 3.8km swim, a 180km bike ride, followed by a standard distance marathon (42.2km), for a total race distance of 226km.
The winner is expected to complete this distance in about 8.5 hours, while the cut-off for all competitors to classify as finishers is 17 hours.
This year there are more than 1400 entrants.
Ironman 70.3 is a half Ironman distance (1.9km swim, 90km bike ride, 21.1km run). There are more than 700 athletes entered for this race.
The Eurocoast Triathlon Club will be represented by four members in the premier race.
Simon Fitzgerald will be competing in his 12th Ironman Australia race.
Completion of 10 races has classified him as a Legend of this event, and he is aiming on improving on last year’s time of 13 hours 16 minutes.
Patrick “Paddy” Hammond is returning to the Ironman distance.
His most recent Ironman race was in Western Australia in 2014, where he finished in 11 hours 23 minutes.
The Port Macquarie course is harder and slower than the Western Australia course, due to the hills on the 180km bike leg.
Craig Shepheard returns for his second Ironman Australia. Craig finished in 12 hours 50 minutes last year.
Peter Cox also returns for his second attempt on the Ironman Australia event, after completing the course in 14hr 01 minute last year. He suffered blistered feet early in the marathon leg, which affected his time.
In the Ironman 70.3, local triathletes Ivo Ahlquist and Bec Shepheard will be stepping up to the half ironman distance.
Ivo won his age group at the Batemans Bay Triathlon festival held earlier this month, while Bec has also tasted success in shorter distance events.
Mention must be made of Dave Ross, from the NSW Mid North Coast.
Dave has competed in every Ironman Australia race since its inception at Forster in 1986, and has completed 30 races.
He is lining up again for his 31st attempt, and has been acknowledged as an Immortal of this event.
Any inquiries about the Eurocoast Triathlon Club should be forwarded to eurocoasttri@yahoo.com.au.
