Eurocoast Triathlon Club members are in the final stages of preparation for the biggest race on the Australian Triathlon Calendar, the 34th running of Ironman Australia, to be held on Sunday (5 May).
The race was first held in Forster/Tuncurry in 1985, but has been a regular fixture at Port Macquarie since 2006, and is one of the longest running Ironman Triathlons held worldwide.
This year sees the largest ever contingent of Eurocoast Triathlon Club members, who will be among some 3000 competitors in the Ironman (3.8km swim, 180km bike, 42.2km run) and Ironman 70.3 (mile) of 1.9km swim, 90km bike, 21.1km run) races, who have come from all over the world to compete.
It is a difficult course, with the gradient of the infamous Matthew Flinders Drive being so steep that race organisers install matting in the gutter so athletes can push their bike up the incline.
Daniel Beby returns, after clocking a sub 10 hour race last year, which then qualified him for the Ironman World Championship held in Kona, Hawaii. There, Daniel also finished under the 10 hour mark.
Debbie McCartney is racing for the first time at this distance. Deb race in last years Ironman 70.3 where she finished in just over 6 hrs, but since has gone under 6 hrs at that distance.
Gerry Van Weerdenburg is also racing at this distance for the first time. Gerry has been absent from the triathlon scene for a few years, but competed in the Husky Long Course race in February.
Peter Cox returns to Port Macquarie after being absent since 2016. Since then, Peter has focussed on Ironman New Zealand, racing there for the last three years, most recently in March.
Finally, Martin Mackay returns to competition. Marty has been a long time competitor at Ironman distance for many years, including multiple starts at Kona, but of late has focussed on the training and mentoring of Ironman aspirants. Marty is aiming on finishing his 19th Ironman race.
In the Ironman 70.3, the club has three entrants.
Adrian Connor, who raced in the full distance race last year and finished in a time of 11:18, has opted for the shorter distance this year.
Stephen Phipps returns after racing at Port Macquarie last year. Stephen has unfinished business with the race, after injury last year cost him valuable time with a finish of over 7 hours.
Julie De Ernsted is racing in her first Ironman 70.3. Julie most recently competed in the Husky Long Course triathlon.
The Eurocoast Triathlon Club was established in 2014 to support anyone interested in competing in triathlons at any level and at any distance. Inquiries in relation to the club should be forwarded by email to club secretary, Ray Davidson, at aztec@southernphone.com.au
Above: Daniel Beby on the ascent up Matthew Flinders Drive in 2018.
Above: Adrian Connor on the bike at the top of Matthew Flinders Drive.
Above: Debbie McCartney racing in last years Ironman 70.3.
Above: Stephen Phipps preparing for last years Ironman 70.3.
