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Iron distance champions warming up for upcoming Challenge in Cairns

Some of the world’s best Iron distance champions will be out in force this weekend competing in various Noosa Winter Festival events as last minute preparations for the upcoming Cairns Airport Challenge Cairns event.

Professional triathletes Bryan Rhodes, Christie Sym and local Belinda Granger will be warming up this weekend in Noosa before squaring up to take on the inaugural Cairns Airport Challenge Cairns over the gruelling 3.8km swim, 180km cycle and 42.2km run.

Christie Sym and partner Bryan Rhodes will be diving into competition in Saturday’s 8th edition of the annual Noosa Blue Water 2km Swim classic which is part of the Noosa Winter Festival program.

Australian triathlete, Christie Sym, is not shy of the open water, recently taking out a podium finish at the Rotorua, New Zealand, sprint triathlon. Saturday’s event will see Christie at the peak of her training in preparation for the upcoming Cairns Airport Challenge Cairns event next month.

New Zealander Bryan Rhodes came onto the international triathlon scene competing as a junior in the 1990 New Zealand Commonwealth Games Triathlon Team and now a veteran of the sport.

Coming from a water sports background Bryan has competed at a national level in both swimming and surf life saving so he will be used to all kinds of different conditions and courses that these ocean swims, such as the Noosa Blue Water Swim, present.

Rhodes has competed in many half and full ironman’s on the US and Canadian circuit with numerous wins and solid results in major races.

Sunshine Coast local and 12 time Ironman Champion, Belinda Granger, is taking on the 160km Noosa Century Cycle on Sunday 22nd May. Last year Granger contested the half marathon, finishing a credible fourth behind noted runners. This year she has opted for the ride as part of her preparations.

The Noosa Century Cycle starts in the heart of Noosa Heads at 6:00am and takes in the best the Sunshine Coast has to offer.

Australia's Granger was the winner of Challenge Wanaka earlier in the year and is determined to claim the inaugural title in Cairns.

Cairns Airport Challenge Cairns is part of the global Challenge Family series that features 12 events worldwide in Germany, France, Spain, Denmark, Austria, UK and New Zealand as well as Australia.

Brisbane distance swimming champions, the Grimsey Brothers, will be facing some stiff competition however are confident they can make a clean sweep of it on Saturday at the blue ribbon 2km event.

As open water specialist Trent, the eldest of the three brothers, is used to swimming the 10km event, the 2km is nothing short of a sprint, but says these ocean swims are great practice for open water.

"I'm really looking forward to it and have been training really well," said Trent.

The Grimsey brothers dominated the Australian Power & Gas Mooloolaba Ocean swim, at the Mooloolaba Triathlon Festival, earlier in the year taking out first, second and third places.

The brothers have also recently earned a place on the Australian team for the world championships in Shanghai.

"Trent and I have always spoken about being on a national team together, but to actually have it happen today is a dream come true," said 20-year-old Codie.

Along with the 2km event there is also the Zinc 96.1 1km swim, which features a new element – the Fin Swim Category allowing competitors to wear flippers or the 500m Splash and Nipper Challenge.

A battle royale will continue between distance running pair Brisbane’s Clare Geraghty and local rising marathon star Roxie Schmidt in the half marathon race.

28-year-old Schmidt has been relegated to second place in this event for the past three years and hoping number four might prove lucky for her.

Last year Geraghty was just too good on the day despite Schmidt recording a PB for the 21.1km event.

The Noosa Running Festival also features the Mizuno Noosa 10km and the ever popular 5km run/walk.

Noosa provides the perfect setting and climate for this winter weekend. The Noosa Winter Festival will transform the beach and streets into a vibrant and exciting event, attracting thousands of participants and spectators.

The event attracts competitors from interstate while the local community has been a tremendous supporter. Event organizers are tipping this weekend to attract upwards of 6,000 competitors.

There’s still plenty more to do across the weekend after the swim and the new Noosa Paddle event, a full afternoon’s entertainment on Saturday from 12noon at Festival Village, Noosa Lions Park which includes the Hot 91.1 Noosa Sport and Lifestyle Expo to explore and a full day of fun at the Noosa Running Festival on Sunday.

For more information on the Noosa Win ter Festival please visit www.usmevents.com.au. 

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