Noosa Winter Festival preview

Growing in stature over the years, the Noosa Winter Festival has evolved into a true multisport event.

Juniors hit the surf at Noosa. . Picture: Geoff Potter

Growing in stature over the years, the Noosa Winter Festival has evolved into a true multisport event.

Once primarily a running event, organiser USM Events has expanded the program to include swimming, cycling and paddling.

This year's event will take centre stage at Noosa on May 5 and 6.

Noosa Lions Park is the event hub for two days and it's a brilliant time of year to be in Queensland with the heavy summer rains gone, making way for sunny days with temperatures in the mid-20s.

Swimming and paddle events will be held on Saturday, May 5, while the running and cycling will be staged on Sunday, May 6.

The run
Competitors can enjoy a flat and fast course through Noosa's most salubrious suburbs.

There's a range of distances, including the 5km run/walk, 10km run and 21.1 half marathon.

All entrants start from Noosa Lions Park and head toward Tewantin on Noosa Parade, the turn for home depends on the distance entered.

For those tackling the half marathon, it's two laps of a beautiful course (one for those in the 10km).

Runners leave Noosa Heads along Noosa Parade, following the bike route of the famed Noosa Triathlon. Once reaching the roundabout at the end of Noosa Parade it's a right hand turn, then a left onto Gympie Terrace where competitors enjoy views of Noosa River.

As the half marathoners reach Hilton Terrace it's a short detour into Sydney Street before reaching the turn. Then it's simply a return to Lions Park before doing it all again.

The final straight dash down Noosa Parade and feel like a long one, but there is strong spectator support along the whole route to get runners home.

The ride
Previously a ride from Brisbane to Noosa, changes in 2010 saw Noosa become the start and finish as the Winter Festival progressed.

While the journey from Brisbane was popular, having the start and finish is a boon for logistics (competitors and organisers alike).

Cyclists head off from Noosa Lions Park, before the runners take control of the road a few hours later. It's an early start for those who want to face the 100 mile (160km) journey, as well as those getting in the saddle for the 100km trek.

Both the 160km and 100km rides are undulating and challenging, but have spectacular views along the way.

The 160km journey leaves Noosa and heads out the back behind Tewantin State School, through Cooroibah. It's a wonderful rural setting, the road winding its way toward Boreen Point. But instead of heading for the Point, riders turn left and travel up Cootharaba Road which is the first real test.

The climb is one of three big ones for the day, and really gets the heart pumping. Reward for effort at the top are magnificent views back toward the coast.

From there it's on to Pomona, then another difficult assent at Black Mountain before reaching Cooroy where there is an aid station.

From Cooroy riders turn right into the hinterland for the most challenging climbs of the day. Once competitors reach Belli Creek it's a sign that most of the difficult hills have been conquered before reaching the aid station at Eumundi.

Those who are on the 100km ride start at Noosa Civic, and head to Cooroy, before turning left for Eumundi and meeting up with their 160km compatriots.

It's a relatively easy run to Yandina where the journey back to the coast takes shape.

With stinging legs from the early climbs, the trek from Yandina can provide some difficult inclines. Once at Bli Bli it's a left hand turn onto the David Low Way and a sign that the bulk of climbing is done for the day.

Along David Low Way it's a nice coastal ride, passing through Pacific Paradise (aid station near the airport) along the way to Coolum.

There are some short hills between Coolum and the finish, the most arduous being just outside Peregian.

The swim
With water temperatures holding around 22 degrees, it can be a brisk introduction to the water.

Distances include the 2km Blue Water event from Tee Tree Bay, around the headland to Noosa Main Beach, a 1km journey from Little Cove to Main Beach, while there is also the 500m swim along Main Beach.

The paddle
Introduced for the first time in 2011, the paddle is open to various types of paddle craft including ocean racing ski, SLSA surf skis, stand-up paddle boards and outriggers (single). Starting at Coolum, competitors hug the coastline for 20km to Laguna Bay at Noosa Heads.

www.usmevents.com.au

See the run map

See the cycle map

See the swim map

See the paddle map

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Originally published as Noosa Winter Festival preview