The Barwon Heads Triathlon, one of the most popular destination races on the Victorian multisport calendar, returns to the Bellarine Peninsula on Sunday for the sixth consecutive year and will showcase some of Australia’s top age-group triathletes.
Event director Lincoln Beckworth from SW Events is both relieved and excited to see the event run after an unprecedented 12 months for community sporting events, followed by the state government’s recently imposed five-day lockdown.
“It’s been a very anxious time. We’re just grateful to be in a position where we can race, to be honest,” Beckworth said.
“We already had a large number of competitors signed up for this year and with the state back in lockdown last week, we thought a contingency plan might be required. Fortunately, it wasn’t, and it’s back to business.”
“We have health and safety measures in place as per the government’s regulations to ensure the safest possible event for our competitors.”
The event will see rolling swim starts of five athletes entering the water every five seconds to spread the field out and event entry numbers this year have also been capped. The spectator-free event will see athletes arrive, race and leave.
With close to 700 competitors, including approximately 300 first-timers, the field consists of Torquay’s Adam Conquest who will return to defend his 2020 title.
Also racing this year is the 2016 Snowy Mountains ITU Cross Triathlon World Champion, Craig Davis. Davis, who is originally from Colac, overcame injury in 2015 to win his third world silver medal at ITU World Triathlon Grand Final Chicago in Chicago.
The Barwon Heads Triathlon is an event for anyone and attracts all levels of fitness and abilities. Athletes will start on the sand next to the Ozone Jetty for the swim, the bike course will take riders along Thirteenth Beach Road, and the run leg is over the Barwon Heads footbridge with the turnaround mark at 2km.
The event will operate with a COVID Safe Plan and implement measures throughout the weekend in accordance with state government requirements.
The triathlon is on Sunday, February 28. The first wave is 8:20am. For all event information, visit www.barwonheadstri.com.au
