The Cairns Airport Adventure festival, encompassing IRONMAN 70.3 Cairns and Cairns Airport IRONMAN Asia-Pacific Championship Cairns, kicked off yesterday in Port Douglas with the Coral Coast Triathlon.

Kim Vernon of Perth won the Open category; while her partner Brody Baker taking out the men’s open category. Both will be competing in IRONMAN 70.3 Cairns on June 12.

Over 7,000 athletes will take part in the festival from June 5-13, with both the IRONMAN 70.3 Cairns and Cairns Airport IRONMAN Asia-Pacific Championship, Cairns on June 12 sell outs, with 3,500 entries across both events.

On her victory, Vernon said: “I am feeling pretty good. I had a bit of a rough lead up to this, so I’m really stoked to be back running and I can’t wait for next weekend. I’m doing the IRONMAN 70.3, and it’s Brody’s (her husband, who won the open but was second overall) first 70.3 and I’m so excited to watch him race out there.”

“We came all the way from WA. We came over last year and loved it. We had such a great time, and we’re definitely coming back again.”

Although Baker took out the men’s open category, the fastest men’s time of the day went to Marc Hardy of Richmond in Victoria, who was racing in the 25-29 age group.

“I came up specifically to compete in the Coral Coast Sprint,” said Hardy.

“I live in Melbourne, but originally from Tassie and have been up here for about a week. Staying at the hostel, been going out and having some fun. We had a big night last night carbo-loading. The weather is beautiful, the run on the beach, it’s awesome.” 

Results:

Female Open
Kate Vernon       North Beach, WA           1:04:57
Celia  Sullohern Graffon, NSW                 1:10:27
Helen Kinnane   Trinity Park, QLD            1:24:39

Male Open
Brody Baker       North Beach, WA           59:35
Andrew Ives       Mossman, QLD             1:03:31
Ben McCosh     Port Douglas, QLD        1:14:38

Overall winner
Marc Hardy       Richmond, VIC              55:53    (Male 25-34 age group)   

The results from RRR MTB Challenge can be found at www.multisportaustralia.com.au/Home/QuickResults.