Rob Thatcher completes Cairns Asia-Pacific Ironman

Fresh from completing the Cairns Asia-Pacific Ironman, Bundaberg triathlete Rob Thatcher has revealed plans for his next two challenges.

Bundaberg triathlete Rob Thatcher put his body to the test in Cairns in early June when he completed the 2022 Ironman Asia-Pacific Championship.

Fondly known as the Race In Paradise, the event consists of a 3.8km swim, a 18km bike ride, and a 4km run across Cairns, from the rainforest to the Great Barrier Reef.

Rob, a 47 year old local teacher, began his triathlon journey when he was advised by doctors and physiotherapists to swim and cycle more to recover from a football injury.

After being introduced to the Bargara Triathlon Club, he began to fall in love with the sport, and his competitive nature led him to become an active competitor.

Rob Thatcher with his wife Nikki.

He watched Greg Welch compete in Ironman championships throughout the 1990s, and decided he was ready for the challenge.

In 2021, he hired Keph Ren at Get KoachD and began an 18-month training regimen.

Soon he was ready for his first Ironman.

“The race itself had some unexpected twists,” he told the Bundaberg NewsMail

Rob’s least favourite leg of the race, the swim, turned out faster than expected.

He clocked in an incredible time of 11 hours and 37 minutes, with his initial goal being under 11 hours.

His next focus is Yeppoon’s Annual Triathlon Festival in August and the Hervey Bay Triathlon Club’s 100 Festival.