Racing Underway at 30th Anniversary Mooloolaba Triathlon

More than 1,000 athletes have taken to the water and streets of Mooloolaba for the Sprint Triathlon at the 30^th Anniversary Mooloolaba Triathlon.

The Sprint Triathlon kicked off the 2022 event, with triathletes taking on a 750m swim, 20km ride and 5km run, before finishing on the picturesque Mooloolaba Esplanade.

More than two thirds of those taking part in the event were racing at the Mooloolaba Triathlon for the first time, with over half of the field female athletes.

Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games silver medallist Lauren Parker made it back-to-back Mooloolaba Triathlon Paratriathlete Sprint titles.

“It was so good to be out there again today at Mooloolaba, I just love the atmosphere of the race,” said Parker. “The swim was absolutely beautiful, I got a good start and put a really good bike together which I was really happy with.

“The support was amazing, all the athletes are so good and really encouraging to me and all of the spectators are amazing as well. The whole town here in Mooloolaba has always been so supportive,” she said. “There were so many people racing for the first time today and it’s good to have everyone come together for the event. It’s great to see everyone taking part, getting out there and doing the best that they can and enjoying a great weekend.”

In amongst the more than 1,000 athletes was Australian Army Captain Shannon Lemanski, who took on the event in full Army kit, raising money and awareness for Swiss 8, a veteran mental health charity.

“It was hard, the swim was the hardest bit, but then coming up over the hill on the run wasn’t as hard as I thought it was going to be,” said Lemanski. “The crowd support was awesome, it helped me push through especially when I was struggling and coming up over the hill.

“For the swim I wore my combat camouflage kit, for the ride I put on my body armour which is seven kilograms, and then for the run I put on an 18 kilogram pack which represents the 18 veterans that we lost to suicide in the last 12 months. My fundraising target is just over $10,000 which is for the 1,276 veterans we’ve lost in the last 20 years.” 

Lemanski enjoyed the support out on course, with fellow athletes and spectators helping him through.

“It was awesome, clearly I stick out wearing all the kit and as soon as everyone saw what I was doing heaps of cheers, heaps of claps, yelling out my name,” he said. “I was completely knackered but the support gave me what I needed to get up and running and finish.”

The Sprint Triathlon is popular with those new to triathlon, with plenty of first-timers, along with groups of friends, racing together out on course.

One such group was Meg Roelofs, Madeleine Johnston, Kate Doherty, Darcie Holgate-English and Charlotte Coorey, with the five enjoying their time at the Mooloolaba Triathlon.

“It was so much fun, 100% I would recommend it,” said Roelofs. “I didn’t want the swim to end and that last 100 metres of the run was absolutely euphoric. The support was fantastic, everyone was cheering everyone one, it was really good.”

Madeleine Johnston had her first taste of the event last year, bringing more of her friends along to join in on the fun this weekend.

“I did the sprint last year and decided that we’d come back and do it again, we had a great time out there,” said Johnston. “The Standard Distance is the goal, not going to lock it in yet but it’s the goal.”

 Jack Crome took the Sprint Triathlon win in 1:01:57, a minute and a half ahead of Casey Munro, with Hayden Small just behind in third.

Margo Mackintosh was the first female, finishing in 1:10:02, almost three minutes clear of Kirsty Beattie, with Stella Kay third.

The Standard Triathlon will take place on Sunday 13 March, with triathletes taking on a 1.5km swim, 40km ride and 10km run. Sunday’s event also includes a relay option for those entering as a team.