Ironman 70.3 Sunshine Coast attracts 1200 competitors, spectators line the beaches and roads

The cheers from the crowd made the tough training all worth it on Sunday as athletes crossed the finish line at an epic Sunshine Coast ironman event. SEE THE PHOTOS

Two first-time half-ironman athletes won what was an epic event on the Sunshine Coast which attracted more than 1200 competitors.

Spectators lined the beaches and roads to cheer on competitors during their swim, bike and run legs at the Ironman 70.3 on Sunday.

Brisbane’s Nick Free and the Netherlands’ Lotti Wilms claimed wins for the overall men and women despite it being the first time competing in an Ironman 70.3.

While Free described the final 45km stretch of the bike ride as “probably the toughest hour” of his life, he said it was all worth it.

“It’s one of those days you dream of,” he said.

“It’s why you train for such a hard sport … there’s so many long days … running those last few kilometres and hearing everyone cheering for you makes it worth it.”

The event attracted competitors from throughout Australia.

It included a 1.9km swim at Mooloolaba, 90km bike ride from Cotton Tree to Mount Coolum and a 21.2km run from Maroochydore to Mooloolaba.

Free said it was the Sunshine Coast’s climate that made it a great place to race and looked forward to the Noosa Triathlon.

He was followed by Josh Amberger and Kaleb Noble who placed second and third.

Kirralee Seidel and Hannah Wells placed second and third in the women‘s.