IRONMAN Asia-Pacific Championship Cairns this weekend


Athletes from across Australia and around the world are heading to Tropical North Queensland for this Sunday’s Cairns Airport IRONMAN Asia-Pacific Championship Cairns.

 

More than 3,500 athletes will take part in IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 races, with the fan favourite event celebrating its 11th running in 2022.

 

This year’s event will see the return of athletes from outside Australia and New Zealand, with IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 athletes from over 25 countries, including Japan, Germany, India, Brazil and the United States of America all set to race.

 

Geoff Meyer, Managing Director of Oceania for The IRONMAN Group said that the team is looking forward to welcoming athletes back to the region.

 

“We can’t wait to see more than 3,500 athletes take part in IRONMAN Cairns this weekend,” said Meyer. “It’s great to see so many athletes return to Cairns and our team looks forward to welcoming them across the finish line as they achieve their goals across the day on Sunday.

 

“Border closures over the last two years has meant that many of our international friends have not been able to join us for the event that we fondly refer to as the race in paradise and we’re thrilled to have them back experiencing all that the region has to offer this week,” he said. “We’re also really pleased that we’re able to go back to the IRONMAN Cairns that we know and love, with a range of community focused activities taking place between now and race day, including the Quicksilver Green Island Swim, the COUCH Charity Breakfast Fun Run and IRONKIDS.

 

“I look forward to seeing athletes, their families and supporters spending time throughout Cairns, Palm Cove, Port Douglas and surrounds in the lead up to Sunday’s event and in the days following it,” said Meyer.

 

Member for Cairns and Assistant Tourism Minister Michael Healy said the IRONMAN Asia-Pacific Championship would be an international and domestic tourism bonanza for Cairns.

 

“IRONMAN athletes will be competing among the world’s best natural attractions and, of course, Cairns is the place to be for winter,” Mr Healy said. “With more than 3,500 athletes, plus support crew, their families and spectators in town, IRONMAN is predicted to bulk up the region’s visitor economy by just over $11 million.

 

“That’s why the Palaszczuk Government backs significant events like the IRONMAN Asia-Pacific Championship,” he said. “IRONMAN’s race in paradise supports accommodation and transport providers, restaurants, hotels, cafes, restaurants and tourism operators.


“We know when competitors and spectators come to Cairns for significant events, they tend to stay longer to experience all that our amazing region has to offer,” said Mr Healy.              

 

Cairns Regional Council Mayor Bob Manning welcomed the return of the event this weekend.

 

“For more than a decade, athletes have been coming to Cairns to ‘race in paradise’ and this year we welcome back competitors from not only from Australia and New Zealand, but with international borders again open, from around the world,” said Mayor Manning. “There’s nothing quite like the lead-up to IRONMAN Cairns, all week long you can see athletes preparing across the city and enjoying what our region has to offer. Then come race day, the atmosphere is simply electric.

 

“This event has continued to grow in popularity, participation, and sporting importance since it first came to our shores 11 years ago,” he said. “I am also proud to say that even during the past two years of uncertainty and border closures, IRONMAN Cairns was successfully staged, and it attracted incredible numbers of athletes.

 

“IRONMAN has a global reputation and brings with it an injection of visitors, marketing for the region, as well as an opportunity for locals to compete or spectate,” said Mayor Manning. “This is an important event for our city, and it sends out a clear message to the world that Cairns is open for business, and we can’t wait for you to arrive here.”

 

Image  Photo Korupt Vision

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