2024 World Triathlon Multisport Championships Townsville starts this week

Move over Paris, “stunning Townsville” is stealing the spotlight as it gears up to host thousands of top-tier athletes for the 11-day World Multisport Championships, kicking off this week.

Photographs from the Townsville Triathlon Festival in 2023. Picture: Delly Carr

Move over Paris, “stunning Townsville” is primed to host some of the world’s best athletes at the 11-day world multisport championships starting this week.

Leanna Ali, regional director for The Ironman Group Oceania, organisers of the 2024 championships, said the event running from Thursday to August 25 would welcome 3000 competitors from more than 30 countries.

“We’re thrilled that the 2024 World Triathlon Multisport Championships Townsville is finally here and can’t wait to welcome athletes to tropical North Queensland for an event to remember,” she said.

“This event has been a long time coming for both athletes and the community and we’re looking forward to seeing high-quality racing across all events as we crown new world champions.”

The championships will be the largest mass participation event ever held in the region, with the Parade of Nations and Opening Ceremony at Strand Park on Thursday and the Duathlon on Friday.

Photographs from the Townsville Triathlon Festival in 2023. Picture: Delly Carr

Tourism and Sport Minister Michael Healy said that this global event would “feel right at home in stunning Townsville”, the “perfect backdrop for all five levels of athletes to give this great event their all”.

“I know the local community and businesses are excited to welcome the athletes and other visitors, many of whom will stay on to explore and experience everything Townsville and North Queensland has to offer.”

Photographs from the Townsville Triathlon Festival in 2023. Picture: Delly Carr

The event includes 19 world championship races across Age Group, Para athletes, Junior, Under 23 and Elites athletes.

The championships will see Sprint and Standard Duathlon, Cross Triathlon and Cross Duathlon, Aquathlon, Long Distance Triathlon, and Aquabike, World Championship races organised together.

Racing will be split across two venues, with the road-based events of Duathlon, Aquathlon, Long Course Triathlon and Aquabike based out of Jezzine Barracks.

The off-road Cross Triathlon and Cross Duathlon will take place at the Cape Pallarenda Conservation Park.

Photographs from the Townsville Triathlon Festival in 2023. Picture: Delly Carr

The World Triathlon Multisport Championships Townsville is supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland.

For more on the 2024 World Triathlon Multisport Championships Townsville visit Townsville.triathlon.org.

Originally published as 2024 World Triathlon Multisport Championships Townsville starts this week