The Cairns Airport IRONMAN Cairns Asia Pacific Championship will be a key feature in Far North Queensland on Sunday 27 September and is taking place following an approved COVID Safe Event Plan.

In developing the COVID Safe Event Plan, the IRONMAN Group has been working closely with stakeholders including several Queensland Government departments, local councils, Triathlon Australia and Triathlon Queensland, along with event contractors and suppliers.

The event raised the ire of Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr who wanted the date changed as it clashed with school holidays. His efforts for a date change were ignored. There has also been the argument that the town does not stand to benefit from it. The event has been traditionally held in June.

Perhaps the most significant drawback is that the Captain Cook Highway will be closed between Trezise Road, Port Douglas and Veivers Road Palm Cove from 5.30am to 3.30pm.

In terms of traffic conditions, Port Douglas will operate under normal traffic conditions this year due to the shortened course. Competitors on the cycle leg will only travel along the Captain Cook Highway as far north as Trezise Road where they will then turn around and head back south.

Police have also asked spectators to be COVID-safe and maintain social distancing:

• Stay at home if you are unwell or if you have been in contact with somebody who is sick.
• Download and turn on the Commonwealth Government COVID-19 app prior to attending the event.
• Avoid or minimize time at areas of high density on site.
• Regularly clean hands at hand wash and sanitation stations when onsite.

The first cyclists will be back onto the Northern Beaches at approximately 8.30am and it is we expected there will be a steady flow of cyclists for most of the day until approximately 5:00pm.

To access downloadable maps and further information relating to all of the changed traffic conditions visit: https://www.ironman.com/im703-cairns-course 

It has also been advised that if you are catching a flight between 7:00am and 6:00pm, you will need to travel via the Mulligan Highway, Mt Molloy, Mareeba and Kuranda; and ensure you allow for the additional time involved.

The IRONMAN Group is the largest operator of mass participation sports in the world and provides more than a million participants annually the benefits of endurance sports through the company’s vast offerings.

Since the inception of the iconic IRONMAN brand and its first event in 1978, athletes have proven that anything is possible by crossing finish lines around the world. Beginning as a single race, The IRONMAN Group has grown to become a global sensation with hundreds of events in more than 55 countries.

Dave Beeche, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of The IRONMAN Group Oceania, said IRONMAN Cairns is an iconic event on the IRONMAN schedule and was named world’s best in 2018 and “we’re thrilled that we’re in a position to have athletes take to the water and roads of Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef this September.

“Our athletes are telling us they want to get out there and race again, and our team are equally excited that this is now a realistic possibility.”

The event will feature a new swim start, with four athletes starting every five seconds, allowing for four square metres per person.

Changes implemented for the bike leg include the locating of aid stations in low density areas, with athletes encouraged to be more self-reliant on course, carrying their own hydration and nutrition during competition.

For more information: https://www.ironman.com/im-cairns.