Triathlon heads back to the future

I BELIEVE it’s only appropriate I devote today’s column to the first ever Noosa Triathlon along the Back to the Future theme.
It was 33 years ago I got the call from 4GY’s John Ford with a simple request ‘Mate could you come and commentate on this event’. My only knowledge of triathlons was from watching Hawaii Tri on Wide World of Sports. I met with the committee on the Friday afternoon at the Reef Hotel to go over the finer details. Organiser Dave Power, volunteer boss Joe Gilbert, swimmer Kevin Thornburn, Ed Dodd, course designer John Jameson and the only person to do every race Peter O’Neill. They were a pretty organised bunch but when I asked why is the swim in the canal and not the ocean, the answer ‘logistics mate, easier to keep them all together in the park’.
The World’s first ever tri was run in 1974 at Mission Beach, USA, with 100 brave but wary athletes doing a 6 mile run, 5 mile cycle and 500 yard swim. Car headlights had to be used for some of the stragglers but little did they know what they had started. Australia’s first Tri was in 1981 at Cronulla won by Greg Reddan who will probably line up in tomorrow’s Arena Noosa 1000 Ocean Swim.
All up 62 individuals answered the gun but wasn’t the maze of what you will see on Sunday. The boys used galvanised water pipes on star pickets for bike racks and Dunlop runners placed on beach towels. Probably cost around $150 to fully outfit each competitor which is far less then today. The first winners were Gold Coaster Michael Harris and future Olympian Liz Hepple claiming the first of her three titles. Lifesavers Ray Pettigrove, Scott Braby, Geoff Dews along with team swimmers John Mainwaring and Garth Prowd also joining the 150 starters.
The actual distances for each leg were mainly guessed but the eventual course was close to the Olympic distance of today’s races conducted worldwide. The event was also used as a fund-raiser for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, with race and volunteer shirts, emblazoned with the wording “where’s there a will, there’s a way to LA’.
For me, I believe Sunday’s change to the ocean will take the event to another level, and surely, catapult Noosa to being on every triathlete’s bucket list.
Closing Hastings Street is the winner and should of happened 33 years ago, a mall precinct with entertainment, food, culture can only add to the iconic tag the area is famous for.
I am sure the five remaining members will be at Sunday’s race, standing proudly watching what has become a wonderful legacy for Noosa, Sunshine Coast and Australia.
The original reason to run an event in November was largely tourism, based on filling up accommodation in the quieter times leading into Christmas.
So when you think about it, nothing has really changed in 33 years, back to the future. See you on Sunday.