Sunshine Coast's Iconic Mooloolaba Triathlon Celebrates 30th Anniversary

The Mooloolaba Triathlon has been a premier destination for multisport and triathlon communities since 1993, hosting some of sport’s greatest names, age groupers, newbies and support teams of family and friends. 

The 30^th anniversary edition will take place from 11-13 March 2022, featuring two sold-out events in the Sprint Triathlon and the Standard distance Mooloolaba Triathlon.   

Together with the support of a passionate local community, the Mooloolaba Triathlon has cemented its place as a must do event and grown into the second largest Standard distance triathlon event in Australia.  

Highlighting its popularity is a band of returning Mooloolaba Triathlon ‘Legends’ – those who have completed the event for 10 years or more – of which there are over 200 members.  

Brisbane’s Brent Blackman is the self-proclaimed ‘King of Moo Tri’ – and rightly so. The 50-year-old has the most Mooloolaba Triathlon’s under his belt, completing 28 out of the 29 events to date, only missing the first ever staging.  

“I love it,” said Brent. “It's one of those things as I get older, I don't ever want to think I'll get too old to do it. I've even got a t-shirt, because my mates know how much I love Mooloolaba, which has got 'The King of Moo Tri' on the back. My nickname is 'The Duck' because of the way I run, and I have 28 little ducks on the back of the t-shirt for every race I have competed in. 

“I love going up to Mooloolaba because it's that one time I know I can go there and know that I've done more than anybody else, it's a beautiful place to be and I love it. I'll never stop going there because it's just so much fun.” 

Brent says one of the things he loves most about the event is the opportunity to spend quality time with his mates each year. More recently, a particularly special aspect of the event for the group of friends is seeing their children step up and take part in the Mooloolaba Triathlon alongside them. 

“The one thing I do enjoy is the fact that we've got the next generation of my mates’ kids starting to come through,” said Brent. “My kids aren't really interested as much, but we've got some of the other guys whose sons are coming through and now they’re starting to do the age groups as well. They've been there ever since they were doing the kids races, so to now see them coming to do the adult races, that's the fun part, and it shows the success of the sport and the event as well.”  

Reflecting on his favourite memories of the event, Brent says one funny moment stands out. 

“When I did my first or second race ever, there was an ex-pro called Guy Andrews, and because the run is a two-lap course, he was coming around for his second lap and I was only going out at the start, and as I went down I caught up to him and the commentators thought I was actually challenging him for the lead. Us going side by side, the commentators were talking about it, the footage was of the two of us, but they soon realised that I wasn't competing next to him, and I certainly got cropped pretty quickly,” said Brent.  

If Brent holds the ‘King of Moo Tri’ crown, perhaps then the ‘Queen of Moo Tri’ is Nicola Debuse, who will line up for her 18^th Mooloolaba Triathlon on Sunday 13 March – the most of any female competitors.  

Nicola first completed the event back in 2003, around the same time she took up the sport of triathlon. Though initially a novice and worried about the seemingly elite feel of triathlon, Nicola has grown into the sport with confidence, and now feels the warmth and inclusiveness of the event. 

“My early racing years were fraught with self-doubt and Mooloolaba seemed to have the fittest of athletes, and not many who looked like me. I was absolutely convinced that I might not make the time cuts and would be DNF so they could start the elite race, but it never happened,” said Nicola.  

“Over the years more and more have taken up the sport and I really like the inclusive vibe and every competitor, quick or not, is cheered and the last ones probably get cheered the loudest.” 

Though the course has changed slightly over the years, Nicola says her love for the event is enduring thanks to the stunning Sunshine Coast setting. 

“I love the new swim start and finish at the more protected southern end of the beach,” said Nicola. “The bike course is always fast on the motorway and the wind will be from behind either going out or coming back. 

“The run is challenging, but where else can you run along the beautiful waterfront and be cheered on the whole way round. The breakfasting support crews in the café’s cheer, spectators on the hill and turnaround offer encouragement, volunteers give out drinks and affirmations for success, but the best of all feelings is reaching the club tent zone, nearly spent and close to the finish, where pride and raucous encouragement from the SBTC makes me find a morsel of energy to keep running to cross the finish line.” 

 Like Brent, Nicola makes the trip up from Brisbane every year, spending time in Mooloolaba for four or five days across the whole event weekend. 

The IRONMAN Group Oceania Managing Director, Geoff Meyer, says the event organisers are proud and grateful for all the support the Mooloolaba Triathlon has received over the years, and can’t wait to celebrate with the triathlon community over the weekend of 11-13 March.  

“The Mooloolaba Triathlon is celebration of what the Sunshine Coast has to offer, blue skies, crystal clear water and a welcoming community, and an event that is synonymous with the triathlon community here in Australia,” said Meyer.  

“For 30 years the event has given people the opportunity to compete in a stunning destination as they swim in the tropical waters off Mooloolaba Beach, spin down the Sunshine Coast Motorway and run to the finish along the Esplanade that stretches from one beautiful beach to another.” 

The Mooloolaba Triathlon is supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland and features on the It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar.