Cairns Regional Council to invest $2.5m over five years to keep Ironman in Cairns
A sporting event that delivers $10m each year to the Far North has received commitment from council for a lengthy extension to the applause of the region’s top advocates.
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The Cairns Ironman event is set to continue in the Far North for five more years after Cairns Regional Council committed an additional $2.5m dollars to the race.
The world’s most freakishly fit people have crossed an Ironman finishing line in Cairns since 2012 and now have the opportunity to keep doing so until at least 2028, pending a formal announcement from Ironman Oceania.
The mammoth event brings thousands of triathletes to the Far North every June, packing the hotels and shutting down major roads for a weekend.
Mayor Bob Manning said the funding commitment was a win for all parties involved.
“It’s been a great event for Cairns. Year on year it has gotten better; not because of anything we did, but the strength of the Cairns product,” Cr Manning said.
“It’s brought a lot of people to Cairns … the event has a great reputation.”
The event – which, at full distance, involves a 3.8km Palm Cove swim, 180km return cycle to Port Douglas and a marathon along Cairns Esplanade – will receive a $500,000 per annum contribution from the council, subject to confirmation of event status.
In 2022, a council spokesman said the event attracted more than 3000 triathletes to Cairns and generated $10m in economic impact.
Cairns Airport has been the naming rights sponsor of the event since 2012 and last year CEO Richard Barker said this partnership would continue “for a further three years”.
“We are delighted to hear that council has committed to an extension of this excellent event,” Mr Barker said.
“Coverage of the event reaches millions around the world, promoting Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef.
“We look forward to continuing our successful partnership with Ironman.”
Mark Olsen, Tourism Tropical North Queensland CEO, said Ironman had helped position Cairns as a sporting destination and would continue to be a drawcard for athletes around the world.
“Participants voted last year’s event the best Ironman in the world and 25 countries were represented ensuring global coverage of the athletes enjoying the only place where two World Heritage areas meet,” Mr Olsen said.
A spokesman for Ironman Oceania said the company was still working with the council on the future of the event.
“We are unable to comment further at this time,” the spokesman said.
Originally published as Cairns Regional Council to invest $2.5m over five years to keep Ironman in Cairns
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