IRONMAN Australia is set for a bonanza year with record-breaking athlete numbers expected for the full-distance race and Ironman 70.3 Port Macquarie on May 5.
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The nation's longest running Ironman event has more than 3000 athletes competing this year, with the full-distance race nearing a sell out and Ironman 70.3 Port Macquarie sold out three weeks from race day.
The event, which incorporates the Oceania TriClub Championships, also has a record number of 206 TriClubs heading to Port Macquarie this year.
Ironman Oceania regional director Ben Herbert said that since Ironman Australia was established in 1985, it has attracted world-class athletes from all over the globe and has become a favourite race for local and interstate triathletes.
"When athletes mention Port Macquarie, they always talk about the amazing community feel of this event and the enormous, enthusiastic support they receive along the course," he said.
"It is no wonder why it has become a must-visit destination for the thousands of competitors, their families and supporters who return to Port Macquarie year after year.
"As home to the Oceania TriClub Championship, the regional TriClub rivalry also helps makes it one of the most popular events on the calendar.
"At this stage there are very limited entries still available for the full distance Ironman Australia this year; anyone contemplating racing is advised to get in quick.
"Once we sell out, entries are closed."
Herbert said the Ironman Australia honour roll contains a who's who of Ironman and again this year the world's best will be in town putting on an amazing show.
"The ability of the event to continue to attract the world's best athletes is testimony to the outstanding community involvement, the tough and honest course plus the race's illustrious history," he said.
"Defending champion Laura Siddall, local resident and Ironman legend Caroline Steffen, former Ironman Australia and Ironman 70.3 world champion Tim Reed, Ironman super biker Cameron Wurf and Kiwi Mark Bowstead having already confirmed their entries.
"Ironman Australia 2019 is shaping up to be one of the best ever.
"If you can't make it in person on May 5, the next best thing is to join viewers from across the world watching the live Ironman Australia action with coverage available globally on Facebook Watch via the Ironman Now Facebook page www.facebook.com/Ironmannow," he said.
NSW Minister for Tourism Stuart Ayres said the record breaking registrations spoke to the ongoing success of the state government's investment in regional tourism, which has seen events such as Ironman Port Macquarie go from strength to strength.
"Regional events such as Ironman Australia at Port Macquarie help to fuel the state's overnight visitor economy, while placing our incredible destinations front and centre," he said.
"The NSW government, via our tourism and major events agency Destination NSW, is turbocharging regional tourism in our state with an unprecedented amount of funding to help grow local visitor economies.
