The Noosa Triathlon is proud to announce that local athlete, coach and two-time Noosa Triathlon champion Nick Croft has been inducted onto the Noosa Triathlon Walk of Fame.
Croft won the iconic event in 1985 and 1986 and has been heavily involved in the Noosa Triathlon ever since, both as a coach and a volunteer.
Noosa-based Croft becomes the 16th individual inducted onto the famous Walk of Fame on Noosa Parade.
“I’m extremely honoured, some of the athletes on there have had phenomenal careers, they went on to excel at all different levels and distances, and won the event a lot more times than I won it,” Croft said.
“There are others who are synonymous with the event who weren’t athletes but brought the event up to an international level and worked tirelessly behind the scenes.
“To be included in those names on the Walk of Fame, and having lived in this town for the last 26 years and to do things on the Tri course every day, to take people to the finish line as a coach and just assisting it means everything, to have had the time at Noosa Tri nearly as long as it’s been going is special and I’m very proud and humbled.”
Croft took part in his first Noosa Triathlon in just the event’s second year, as a part of a team, returning as an individual a year later to win outright.
“I got involved with Noosa back in 1984, winning the schoolboys teams, not a triathlete as such yet but that inspired me to get involved in the sport, I took it up and came back and won the event outright the next year as an 18-year-old,” Croft said.
“Because the Noosa Tri was one of my first big events and I did so well in it initially it was always my favourite even though I got to race around the world and lived in Europe for four years racing some of the biggest events around, Noosa was always my number one event as an athlete.
“Having lived here since 1995 and coached so many athletes around the course it’s something that’s in the lifeblood up here,” he said.
“I’ve dabbled back into the event as an age-grouper and I still enjoy going around, and I still do voluntary work with the event.
“With the history of the event over 38 years, and those who have already been inducted into the Walk of Fame, I’m absolutely privileged and honoured to be a part of those names.”
Geoff Meyer, Managing Director of The IRONMAN Group Oceania, congratulated Croft on being inducted onto the Noosa Triathlon Walk of Fame.
“We’re thrilled to be able to recognise Nick’s contribution to the Noosa Triathlon, as an athlete, coach and volunteer, by inducting him onto the Noosa Triathlon Walk of Fame,” Meyer said.
“It’s great to be able to see someone progress through taking part in the event in a team, to returning to win the overall event for the next two years and then becoming a coach and having a huge impact on local athletes.
“The Noosa Triathlon is celebrating its 38th running this year and as we continue to add to the history of this iconic it’s great to be able to etch another name onto the Walk of Fame,” he said.
