Ironman 70.3 Mooloolaba: How to get live updates
As the Sunshine Coast welcomes 2000 athletes for Sunday’s Ironman 70.3, hundreds of photos from years past show athletes’ victories and spectators celebrating.
One of the biggest events on the Sunshine Coast sporting calendar that is also worth more than $7m to the economy is set to stop traffic and draw crowds this weekend.
About 2000 athletes are expected to compete in the Ironman 70.3 in Mooloolaba this Sunday, September 14.
Ironman Oceania operations head Rebecca van Pooss said this event would generate millions for the Sunshine Coast’s economy.
“The Sunshine Coast is a beautiful destination, so people love coming here and we expect this event to inject roughly about $7.5m into the local economy,” Ms Van Pooss said.
She said this event could hold longer-term benefits for the Coast’s economy.
“They enjoy their time here, they spend their money in the restaurants, accommodation and local businesses, and we hear that they come back for their family holiday because they loved it so much,” she said.
“They just don’t come for the event, we know that they come back and stay longer.”
Ms Van Pooss also mentioned the athletes to look out for over the weekend.
“Ellie Salthouse she’s as close to local as you get- this is her home race even though she lives further south,” she said.
“Ben Hamilton won last year, so he is coming back to defend his title”.
Spectators are encouraged to come out and watch with a bike park service available at Charles Clarke Park between 5am and 4.30pm.
“There’s a lot of places to spectate, so get out there and cheer on the athletes and make them feel welcome,” Ms. Van Pooss said.
Several road closures are scheduled for the Sunday event across several suburbs.
See all the previous Sunshine Coast Ironman galleries here:
2016 Ironman
