Local Douglas triathlete Nick Carling finished 646th out of more than 1800 competitors at the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championships in Nevada, USA, this morning (local time). 

This year, 53 countries fielded athletes, including Australia. Personal trainer and owner of Actin Fitness, Carling was one of seven triathletes from the Cairns region to earn the right to compete in the US event by qualifying at an IRONMAN 70.3 event last year. Carling qualified in Phuket in December 2012. According to a supporter, he's "been training phenomenally since then...and is looking at turning pro this year."

At over half the traditional total IRONMAN race distance, Carling's 70.3-mile (116km) event started with a 1.2-mile (1.9km) swim in Lake Las Vegas at Lake Las Vegas Resort in Henderson, Nevada. Athletes then completed a challenging 56-mile (90km) bike ride in rainy conditions through Lake Mead National Recreation Area, before finishing with a 13.1-mile (21.1km) run through Henderson’s scenic residential areas, in temperatures reaching 38 degrees celcius.

Carling finished 83rd in his Male 25-29 [years] division, with last year's winner Sebastian Kienle defending his title.

Since its origins in 2006, the 70.3 IRONMAN endurance challenge has evolved to become one of the most competitive triathlon events in the world, according to the World Triathlon Corporation. 

Before the race, Carling posted on his Facebook page, "Successfully completed my Ironman 70.3 World Championships training program this morning. Great to get through unscathed and feeling fresh and ready to roar thanks to my brilliant coach Dr Trevor Chetcuti of Spinewise."

The Newsport congratulates Nick Carling, and fellow Far North Queenslanders Sarah Carter, Kitey Riepen, Nathan Sandford, Joanna Carman, Matt Carman and Josh Hyde.