Wednesday, September 4, 2024

Issue:

Mackay and Whitsunday Life

TOWNSVILLE, TAKE A BOW!

The World Multisport World Championships were due to take place in TOWNSVILLE in 2019. Then Covid hit.

Finally, they took place this year between 15 to 25 August, 2024

There were 35 countries represented with athletes competing in an array of events over 10 days including a Parade of Nations and remarkable Opening ceremony. There were masses of Canadians, Americans, New Zealanders, Japanese, Spanish, English, Irish and others all in their Country Uniforms. But the show of Green and Gold athletes was mesmerising around the race Precinct.

The events covered a variety of different distances and all age groups, including Cross Duathlon, Aquabike, short and long distance Triathlons, Aquathlon, Para Triathletes, Juniors, Elites, Cross Triathlon races, all covering off-road cycling, swimming, running and road cycling. 

Townsville was abuzz with a phenomenal atmosphere over the festival carnival which took place along the Townsville Strand precinct, back into the city, past Jezzine Barracks and up as far as Pallarenda Park.

Athlete camaraderie was excellent with many highlights and amazing individual performances. One notable highlight was our very own 86 year old Lachlan Lewis ending on the podium in the Aquabike event. A true Aussie Icon and World champion.

The performance of our Age Group Australian Teams in all events was remarkable with many individual athletes ending on the podium.

Personally, I was a bit underdone as I developed a bit of a groin niggle preventing me from doing the 30 km Triathlon run. On this occasion I was eligible to swap to the Aquabike including a 3km ocean swim and 114km cycle, but luckily no run. The swim was a dream, yet the road cycle was very challenging. At the end of the day I finished in 5th position in the World in my age category, pretty stoked which qualified me for a spot at next year's Worlds in Pontevedra in Spain in June.


Contributed with thanks to Michael Kimpton

In other news