“You’ve dropped bags all over Cairns…at this point in time you’ve got to do a 70.3
just to get all your sh*t back.”
We had a great turnout of racers and support crew for the weekend, and in true Green Army style, our supporters stayed on course until the last athlete crossed the finish line. For those of you wondering, it’s not just athletes who have to contend with injuries on race day…supporter injuries DO happen! Those cow bells should come with a warning attached!
The Results
And so began the logistical challenge that is racing in Cairns. With T1 and T2 in different towns for this race, it does take a wee bit of reading the athlete information guide, reading it a few more times, posting on the “Training for IRONMAN Cairns and IRONMAN 70.3 Cairns” facebook group, posting in the club fb group (massive thanks to Kevin for his patience and great answers to all the questions), sitting down and having a good old freakout, and asking more people before you’re finally sure you understand it and have got yourself sorted.
We had perfect conditions for the swim up at Palm Cove, with clubbies setting some cracking times for their respective distances (one might ask if Andrew had attached a propeller to his legs…he was definitely turning it on for the big race day!), and even Heather almost managed to swim in a straight line – completely unheard of in previous races! There were some very sad team swimmers who experienced big time FOMO when watching everyone else leave T1 on bikes, while they were left to walk out and get on a shuttle bus back to Cairns.
The bike course is one of the things that keeps bringing everyone back to Cairns. A stunning ride on the coast with amazing views has made at least two Clubbies say they want to go back and do the full in the next two years. There is a reason Cairns has been voted as the overall number 1 course in the world, and our amazing athletes were lucky enough to ride it in all its glory.
On to the run, and Jess’ brilliant smile was on display the whole time, coach Anthony was dancing up a storm, and James was even seen doing the Floss while cheering on all the amazing racers. Between the local supporters and the club tents, The Esplanade was absolutely pumping! Having so many Clubbies in the 70.3 meant that they were able to cheer each other on at all the turn around points which definitely helped with the motivation to keep going. The high energy level on course helped as the day dragged itself into the night for the IM finishers who had to keep running despite the amazing curry smells that were wafting on course. The oomph that each athlete found as they rounded that last corner on their way to the finisher chute was phenomenal to watch. Massive congrats to all who raced!
In our sport, we know that things don’t always go our way on race day, and unfortunately that was the case for Heidi and Darren who both had to withdraw during the bike leg of the IM. There is some unfinished business there, and they’ll be back at Cairns to race again in the future.
Next year the race will be on June 16 – start planning your trip now! We’re going to have a big crew up there again, including some who did the 70.3 this year and now want to step it up to the full Ironman. Definitely a trip and race not to be missed!
Highlights
A massive thanks to Kevin for answering everyone’s questions in the lead up to the race. We had a lot of first timers racing at Cairns this year, and with T1 and T2 being in different places there was a lot of confusion and anxiety about how it all worked. Kevin was great at putting everyone’s minds at ease and clarifying confusing information.
Hard to imagine a bigger smile than Jess’ on the run, but Andrew’s smile was absolutely electric! Every time he ran past us on the run, his fists were pumping the air and that giant smile was plastered all over his face – making it look easy and that doing an Ironman is just a great way to spend a day, or as Matt says “a great way to improve a holiday!”
Sue May had a tough time on the run, so Ben jumped in and ran a lap with her to help her out of the dark hole that is running a marathon in the dark after 180km on the bike and 3.8km in the water. Having that support from Ben helped her finish within the cut off time and hear those magic words “Sue May, you are an Ironman!”
Big snaps to Bella who, on her first 70.3 outing snagged herself a podium, coming 3rd – huge congrats!
B.O.G. Award 
The BOG has to be the birthday girl, Gilly! In addition to joining the best age group while up in Cairns, Gill also brought a dozen of her triathlete pals from America over to race and celebrate with her, organised the club dinner, told off people who were smoking while standing on the run course and did it all in style.
Her Mum is also now a regular SBTC supporter, having been on course to cheer us all on at Bribie earlier in the year and now again in Cairns – best Tri Mum around!
Freddo Frog Award
For those who weren’t up in Cairns match the quote the person who said it. Once you think you’ve figured out who said what, send a message to Heather and she’ll confirm or deny your answers – the first person to get it correct wins themselves a Freddo Frog.
1. You’ve dropped bags all over Cairns…at this point in time you’ve got to do a 70.3 just to get all your sh*t back.
2. I’m just drinking and peeing, drinking and peeing.
3. I’m nervous. I need to pee.
4. It was so nice out there, there was a girl I was pacing off, and when she started walking I told her she was my pacer so she started running again. It was really lovely!
5. Swimming is just not fun!
6. I reckon I’ll finish about 2 o’clock, and I’m going to be questioning every life choice by that point.
7. I wanted to pull out… I didn’t think I could even finish the first f*cking lap on the run. The swim was gorgeous though!
8. DO NOT DENY A TRIATHLETE HER FOOD!
9. I slept in.
10. Alright, I might sit down and do a poo.
11. No more Gatorade!
12. If anyone in Cairns would like some prawns let me know.. I bought 1kg..without thinking how much 1kg is!
Photos
This race report was written by Heather Farrell.
If any SBTC clubbies are keen to help out with writing up a race report for an upcoming event, please email our Communications Officer at media@sbtc.com.au
