Gavin Morisset, 80, returned to Noosa last Sunday for his second triathlon after completing his first-ever triathlon in Noosa four years ago.
Gavin said a visit to Noosa to see friends who were competing at the time encouraged him to give it a go after he retired at the age of 76.
One of three octogenarians in the event he thought his chances of a podium finish were “fairly good”.
This year Gavin convinced his daughter Janene and husband Reid, both 50, to join him, the Sydney-siders having trained together for the event.
Competing as ‘Team Gav’ Janene and Reid also entered the Tri as members of Team Smiddy, the biggest charity group at the Noosa Tri.
“It’s a good opportunity to get involved,” said Janene who was among about 350 people raising money for cancer research at the Mater as part of the Smiling for Smiddy charity.
More than 7500 people lined up for the Garmin Noosa Triathlon in its 40th anniversary year to complete a 1.5km swim at Main Beach, 40km bike ride and 10km run, and everyone had a reason to be there.
Kerry Dowling, 77, has lost count of the number of triathlons he’s completed since he entered an Ironman event in Hawaii in 1983. The Woollongong resident trains every day with a 1500m swim and bike ride. “It keeps you young,” he said.
Cameron Young and Pete Murray travelled from Melbourne for the Noosa Tri and to raise money to cure brain cancer after both had lost loved ones to the disease.
Elle Goodall and Loretta Burke were celebrating their first anniversary together, having met at the Noosa Tri last year. Since then the Sydney couple have joined in races “all over the place”.
“It’s great for keeping fit and healthy,” Loretta said.
“The best thing is to surround yourself by like-minded people. We’ve lost a lot of weight. We’ve lost 150kg between us. In the last 2-3 years we’ve both turned our lives around.”
Bondi neighbours Paul and Anna Brennan and Jeremy Garling returned for their sixth or seventh Tri.
Anna said it started with a sprint Tri at her work that was “good fun”, and “one thing led to another”. “We all train together. It’s enjoyable,” she said.
Thousands congregated on the beach and lined the race track to cheer on their family and friends. People filled Hastings Street and its cafes and restaurants while a steady stream of competitors and supporters arrived for their start times beginning from 6.15am by shuttle bus or on foot.
Among the supporters were Katie Becker and daughter Pearl. While husband and dad, Adam, took part in the triathlon the pair visited official race starter, Olympian and Noosa local Dawn Fraser, bringing back a memorable occasion for her. Pearl’s grandmother Jan Becker (nee Turner) had been a member of the swim team with Dawn during the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.
