UPDATE: It was announced late last week that the IRONMAN Asia Pacific Championship has been secured by the state for Cairns and will become an extension of the Cairns Airport Adventure Festival for the next three years.

The 2016 IRONMAN Asia-Pacific Championship Melbourne, which was scheduled to take place in March, was cancelled due to circumstances beyond their control. Melbourne had hosted the event since 2012.

It was reported the cancellation decision was a result of challenges that have arisen due to a scheduling conflict with another major event in the Melbourne calendar.

The CEO for IRONMAN Asia-Pacific Geoff Meyer reported that the impact on the city, surrounding communities, roads and emergency services was not manageable  for the event to be delivered in Melbourne to the level required for the athletes’ safety and satisfaction, as well as athletes being affected by the increase in travel expenses over these high demand dates in Melbourne.

“This was not an easy decision as the event has become a much loved one by athletes and the IRONMAN community all over the world,” said CEO for IRONMAN Asia-Pacific Geoff Meyer.

“Announcing Cairns as the IRONMAN Asia-Pacific Championship venue for the next three years enhances Queensland’s reputation as the home of triathlon in Australia.

“Cairns is a first-class city, fully qualified and well-equipped to deliver an exceptional event, and we look forward to providing our athletes with an unforgettable championship race experience.”

The IRONMAN Asia Pacific Championship is said to attract up to 3000 participants (from more than 50 countries), and when you add this to the number of potential spectators, there is certainly an opportunity for the Douglas Shire to benefit significantly from this event that has been secured by the state for Cairns June 12, 2016.

Douglas Shire Council is a major sponsor of the Cairns Adventure Festival and has been since the new Council was established advised Mayor Leu.

“The Douglas Shire already gets a significant benefit from the Cairns Adventure Festival and the added profile of the Ironman event being a part of the Asia Pacific Championship will only increase exposure and provide an added incentive for more participants and spectators to visit,” said Mayor Leu.

More than 1000 competitors participate in the Cairns Adventure Festival events which finish on Four Mile Beach on the same day – the Coral Coast 5150 Triathlon, the RRR Mountain Bike Challenge and the Great Ocean Challenge.

“A large number of the 3000 Ironman and 70.3 competitors and their families visit the Douglas Shire after their event and the Douglas Shire also features prominently in the Ironman footage beamed around the world as the spectacular bike leg - regarded as one of the most picturesque in the world – mostly features the Douglas Shire,” said Mayor Leu. 
The potential benefit the IRONMAN Asia Pacific Championships will offer to our local economy will be huge advised Mayor Leu.

“There is no doubt that local businesses receive a huge benefit from the Cairns Adventure Festival as participants and their supporters visit the Douglas Shire before, during and after the events.

“As a major sponsor Council already promotes the Douglas Shire as the best place to visit the reef and the rainforest in the official Ironman program and the official competitors packs.

“Tourism Port Douglas & Daintree also provide tourism collateral for the competitors and there are opportunities for all businesses to promote themselves in the official Ironman program,” said Mayor Leu.