Ironwomen to share a slice of history at Mooloolaba race

THEY may not be pushing for the podium, but they’ll share a slice of history when they join almost 2000 athletes for the inaugural Ironman 70.3 Sunshine Coast.

TOUGH ASK: Tracy Buhk, Sam Reynolds, Nicole Tippet, Verity Maher and Carolyn Watt will be tackling the Ironman 70.3 next weekend at Mooloolaba. Picture: Brett Wortman

FIVE women. Different backgrounds. Various ages. Wide-ranging occupations. One common iron will.

This group of gals may not be pushing for the podium, but they'll share a slice of history when they join almost 2000 athletes who will converge at Mooloolaba on Sunday for the inaugural Ironman 70.3 Sunshine Coast.

Tracy Buhk, Sam Reynolds, Nicole Tippet, Verity Maher and Carolyn Watt are among a strong local contingent who will tackle the 1.9km swim, 90km ride and 21.1km run.

For most, Sunday will be the culmination of months of hard training. For Sam, the tough preparation has been a welcome challenge.

"When I look back to when I started my program for the 70.3 I didn't think I could ever do a four-hour ride or a two-hour run," she said

"In the past if I was running and it hurt, I would stop. Now I don't stop as it hurts more to get going again. I have gained so much mental toughness."

If you thought those who tackle the Olympic-distance events seen previously at Noosa and Mooloolaba are intense, wait for these competitors to arrive.

They take their sport ultra seriously, many riding bikes worth more than $5000, with the leading age group contenders undertaking at least two training sessions a day, six days a week.

Among those competing will be some big names, including reigning ironman world champion Pete Jacobs. Dual league-union international Mat Rogers will also be competing.

Athletes will have 7.5 hours from their wave start to finish the course.