The triathlon world is making its way to Tropical North Queensland this week with the 2024 World Triathlon Multisport Championships Townsville set to get underway.
The 2024 World Triathlon Multisport Championships Townsville is set to be the largest mass participation event ever held in the region, with thousands of athletes and supporters from around the world to attend.
More than 3,000 competitors representing over 30 countries, along with their friends and families, are heading to Townsville for the 11-day event from 15-25 August.
The event includes 19 World Championship races across five different levels of athletes, including Age Group, Para athletes, Junior, Under 23 and Elites.
The action gets underway this Thursday with the Parade of Nations and Opening Ceremony at Strand Park, before the action heats up on the course on Friday with the Duathlon.
The Multisport World Championships will see Sprint and Standard Duathlon, Cross Triathlon and Cross Duathlon, Aquathlon, Long Distance Triathlon, and Aquabike, World Championship races organised together.
Racing will be split across two venues, with road-based events of Duathlon, Aquathlon, Long Course Triathlon and Aquabike to be based out of Jezzine Barracks. Offroad events of Cross Triathlon and Cross Duathlon are to be hosted at the beautiful Cape Pallarenda Conservation Park. Both venues are within easy reach of the event hub at Strand Park, with Jezzine Barracks a 10-minute walk and Pallarenda Park a 10-minute drive.
Strand Park – Event Village will host the Parade of Nations, Opening Ceremony, Closing Ceremonies and after party, check in, merchandise and the Event Expo. Strand Bar will be open every afternoon throughout the 12-day event for locals and athletes alike to enjoy the festivities.
Leanna Ali, Regional Director for The IRONMAN Group Oceania, organisers of the 2024 World Triathlon Multisport Championships Townsville, said that the event team was looking forward to welcoming athletes to the region.
“We’re thrilled that the 2024 World Triathlon Multisport Championships Townsville is finally here and can’t wait to welcome athletes to Tropical North Queensland for an event to remember,” said Ali. “This event has been a long time coming for both athletes and the community and we’re looking forward to seeing high quality racing across all events as we crown new World Champions up until 25 August.”
Minister for Tourism and Sport, Michael Healy, said that this global event will feel right at home in stunning Townsville.
“We can’t wait to welcome the World Triathlon Multisport Championships to Townsville, which is the perfect backdrop for all five levels of athletes to give this great event their all,” he said. “I know the local community and businesses are excited to welcome the athletes and other visitors, many of whom will stay on to explore and experience everything Townsville and North Queensland has to offer.”
The World Triathlon Multisport Championships made its debut in the World Triathlon calendar in 2017 in Penticton (Canada), a successful event that was followed by Fyn (Denmark) in 2018 and Pontevedra (Spain) in 2019. The event had to be cancelled in 2020 due to the impact of the pandemic and in 2021 was split in three different locations: Almere (The Netherlands) hosted the Long Distance and Aquabike races, while the Duathlon World Championships were organised in Aviles (Spain), and the Cross Triathlon World Championships took place in El Anillo (Spain).
The 2022 World Triathlon Multisport Championships took place in Targu Mures and Samorin (Slovakia), while the 2023 event went back to its traditional set up of one location hosting all events, with Ibiza (Spain) the home of the Multisport Championships from 29 April until May 7, 2023.
The World Triathlon Multisport Championships Townsville is supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland.
