The Challenge Cairns triathlon event, one of the richest of its kind with EUR100,000 in prize money, has been well publicised since its announcement last week. 

So how did the event get to Port Douglas, what can we expect, and what benefits can we look forward to as a community?

The Newsport spoke to John O'Sullivan, CEO of Queensland Events, Doug Ryan, EO of TPDD, and Val Schier, Mayor of Cairns Regional Council about all things Challenge Cairns.

The Newsport: What can our area expect when Challenge Cairns rolls into town?

John O'Sullivan - Chief Executive Officer, Queensland Events: It's an event that really engages the whole region rather than one location. What we've seen at Roth (in Germany where a similar event 'Challenge Roth' is held and attracts 5,000 competitors, 150,000 spectators, and adds over $18 million to the economy) is the entire area is engaged.

It's as much about community participation as athletic participation. It's about show-casing your area with painted shop fronts, parties, barbecues, beer, and dancing.

The Newsport: How did TPDD become involved?

Doug Ryan - Executive Officer, Tourism Port Douglas and Daintree: I got involved at the last minute. I was called to a meeting two weeks ago to finalise it (the discussions). When it was announced that it wasn't coming to Port I was adamant it would get huge support (from our community).

TQ called the next day and said they would like to bring it to Port. The stakeholders then met to discuss how Port could be involved.

The Newsport: Has the course been finalised and how will Port Douglas be involved?

DR: The course is 90% finalised. The proposed course will see riders come up the Captain Cook Highway to Old Port Road and into Davidson Steet. They'll turn Into Macrossan Street and then left into Wharf Street, do a U turn, and go back down the Captain Cook Highway to Cairns. Riders will do this twice.

The roads will be closed from 7.30am to 2pm.

The Newsport: What are the benefits to the Port Douglas area?

JO: These guys (the athletes) come and stay longer and bring people with them. They'll want to explore all that TNQ has to offer so businesses and tour operators will benefit. You'll also get exposure to a new market in adventure tourism.

DR: There'll be a range of benefits including media coverage with images of Port Douglas.

It's important that the people of Port Douglas get behind the event. In other Challenge events around the world they always go through a 'party town' with a great vibe.

Organisers will erect a huge screen in the park and there'll be entertainment. We need to have the vibe because that's what gets the media coverage.

I spoke personally to three world champion athletes including Rebekah Keat from Australia. She's raced in seven Challenge events this year and never come worse than second. She was awe inspired by the area. She's bringing her team and family to Port and maybe doing her pre-event training here.

Val Schier - Mayor, Cairns Regional Council:  We're looking at 1,000 athletes and their entourages and families coming to the event, the bulk of them being internationals.

If Europeans come all the way here they will want to stay. I think families will choose to stay in Port Douglas. If it (Challenge Cairns) is linked in with Carnivale they would stay on for the event, or stay the week after the event.

People who are coming for the event are cashed up. We normally budget for $1,000 per person to be spent during their stay, but we expect them to spend more like $3,000 to $5,000. It also complements the Solar Eclipse Marathon.

The Newsport: What media will the event attract?

DR: It looks like Channel 10, One HD, and the Discovery Channel will go live to air.

The Newsport: What are the next steps?

VS: We'll all be working flat out in making it happen. Stakeholders will have people working here full time to ensure there's the greatest economic gain possible.