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Subscriber only Crowds lined the streets of Alexandra Headland and Mooloolaba to cheer on their loved ones as athletes took on the challenge of the Mooloolaba Triathlon. The elites were out early and got the job done, with Matthew Hauser and Ashleigh Gentle taking the male and female titles in the Australian Elite and Under-23 Standard Championship. But thousands of competitors were still slogging it out midmorning Sunday, sweltering as they pounded the pavement in what is a gruelling test of stamina and mental strength, in both individual and teams events. The athletes drew out plenty of onlookers who made the most of a picturesque morning to get some time in the sand and surf and cheer on their friends and family as they sweated through the kilometres.
Cameron will be taking on the 10km run along the Mooloolaba foreshore while youngest Matt will tackle the 40km bike ride and Mark will compete in the 1500m swim. Cameron Herbert said while there’s a rivalry between him and his brothers, they’re in it to beat the other firefighting teams.
“We’re not taking it super seriously but it’s good that we’ve all come together, they both work in Brisbane so we don’t get together too often as the three of us,” Mr Hebert said.
“It’ll be a nice way to spend the day and have something to talk about afterwards.
Club president Kim Edwards said nearly half of their participants are first time triathletes, but expected many will “get the bug” after Mooloolaba Tri.
“Everyone gets hooked, it’s a great community so everyone has goals to continue on, and our club is growing exponentially at the moment.”
“There’s a lot of excitement at the moment and we’re just happy to be out racing.”
Ms Edwards said as well as members having the drive to compete, there were many people contesting for something greater than competition.
“We’ve got one girl that’s recovering from a major illness ten years ago and this was her goal to do the Mooloolaba Triathlon, that’s what kept her focused,” she said.
Travel by GREG STOLZ
Premium Content Queensland s safety as a largely COVID-free holiday spot will be highlighted as part of an aggressive new $2 million interstate tourism blitz to be launched before Easter. Queenslanders on Wednesday be given a sneak peek of the campaign, featuring Queensland musicians Busby Marou who have starred in the state s tourism ads since 2018. Filming for the latest ads began this week on the Great Barrier Reef, and the campaign will be rolled out interstate ahead of the Easter holidays. Jeremy Marou, Tom Busby, Steve Edmondson (Sailaway Port Douglas) The ads - the latest phase in the Good to Go campaign launched last year - will showcase attractions and events ranging from sailing at Port Douglas to the Insta-famous Pink Hotel at Coolangatta and Mooloolaba Triathlon.
YOUR GUIDE: Streets shut down for Mooloolaba Tri sunshinecoastdaily.com.au - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from sunshinecoastdaily.com.au Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.