Search
shop

Noosa Triathlon: Stars to line up for 40th anniversary, and why iconic event is so special

Noosa Triathlon will celebrate its 40th anniversary next weekend.
Staff Reporter
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Next weekend, Noosa Triathlon will celebrate 40 years since Grath Prowd decided that Noosa Heads on the Sunshine Coast would be the perfect place to host a triathlon event.

Ever since that day in 1983, Noosa has welcomed a plethora of world-class triathletes to the start line and now lays claim to the title of biggest Olympic distance triathlon in the world.

The five day festival, which will run between November 1-5 and includes a total of 11 events, will see athletes, legends and supporters flock to Queensland to be part of one of the most iconic races in the sport.

Why is Noosa so special for triathlon?

As an event that is consistently ranked in the global top-10 triathlons by athletes, the professional race at the Noosa Triathlon consists of a 1.5km swim, 40km bike and 10km bike, with the race non-draft.

Jake Birtwhistle on course at the Garmin Noosa Triathlon - Photo Korupt Vision
Jake Birtwhistle at the Garmin Noosa Triathlon [Photo credit: Korupt Vision]

The event, which is said to inject close to $25 million into the local economy, expects to see more than 13,000 competitors take part across the course of the week, with more than 30,000 people set to turn out in support.

Since the addition of live coverage five years ago, Noosa Triathlon draws in an audience of over 150,000 viewers via the free steaming on Facebook, which has helped spread the legend of the race to wider realms.

On Wednesday November 1, the event kicks off with the kids swim-run events at Noosa Heads Main Beach, before the expo and swim race on Friday November 3. On Super Saturday (November 4), the open men and women’s races will take part, before the crown jewel on November 5 with the elite races.

With Ashleigh Gentle chasing a 10th women’s crown in 11 years and a stellar cast including Hayden Wilde set to battle it out for the men’s race, the course records look under threat next weekend at one of the spiritual homes of Australian triathlon.

Previous Winners at Noosa

With a Noosa Triathlon Walk of Fame unveiled to celebrate the event’s 30-year anniversary, thanks to a joint initiative between Noosa Council and The IRONMAN Group Oceania, the Noosa race winners and event patrons are remembered years after their successes.

Previous winners include former World Champion Miles Stewart, Olympic champion Emma Snowsill and current PTO World #2 Gentle. Gentle, who has won eight consecutive titles since 2014, has a total of nine wins.

Noosa Triathlon Previous Winners – Last 10 Races

  • 2022 – Charlie Quin (AUS) | Ashleigh Gentle (AUS)
  • 2021 – Luke Willian (AUS) | Ashleigh Gentle (AUS)
  • 2019 – Jacob Birtwhistle (AUS) | Ashleigh Gentle (AUS)
  • 2018 – Aaron Royle (AUS) | Ashleigh Gentle (AUS)
  • 2017 – Jacob Birtwhistle (AUS) | Ashleigh Gentle (AUS)
  • 2016 – Dan Wilson (AUS) | Ashleigh Gentle (AUS)
  • 2015 – Joe Malloy (USA) | Ashleigh Gentle (AUS)
  • 2014 – Aaron Royle (AUS) | Ashleigh Gentle (AUS)
  • 2013 – Aaron Royle (AUS) | Emma Moffatt (AUS)
  • 2012 – Peter Kerr (AUS) | Ashleigh Gentle (AUS)

What are the Noosa Triathlon Course Records?

These are the golden numbers to look out for next Saturday:

  • Men: Charlie Quin (AUS) – 1:43:12
  • Women: Emma Carney (AUS) – 1:54:22
Tomos Land
Written by
Tomos Land
Tomos Land is a triathlon & running journalist whose expertise lies in the professional world of short course & long distance triathlon, though he also boasts an extensive knowledge of ultra-running.
Discover more
TRI247 podcast p/b Challenge Family episode 2
Go behind the scenes at Challenge Roth with the latest episode of the TRI247 podcast
Cadomotus Chronos triathlon cycling shoes
The triathlon cycling shoe that promises a 10-watt saving: Cadomotus Chronos Aero triathlon cycling shoes review
Challenge Family Roth
Five things you need to know about the Challenge Roth bike course
Challenge St. Pölten 2024 - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
Expert swim coach on the three most common swim mistakes age group triathletes make (and how to fix them!)
TRI-FIT VANGUARD tri suit review
The entry-level tri suit with a serious amount of performance for the price point – TRI-FIT VANGUARD review
latest News
Julie Derron wins T100 San Francisco 2025
Olympic medallist and T100 winner reveals she’s stepping up to full distance next
Sam Laidlow Challenge Roth press conference 2025
Challenge Roth 2025: Laidlow prompts groundbreaking move as Race Ranger data will be made public
Kat Matthews IRONMAN Texas Finish Line 2025
Kat Matthews and Magnus Ditlev top 70.3 Swansea fields as IRONMAN Pro Series heads to Wales
Kristian Blummenfelt Kristian Hogenhaug Casper Stornes IRONMAN Frankfurt 2025
Triathlon GOAT Mark Allen sends “great champions” message to red-hot superstar Kristian Blummenfelt
Zachary Josie bike
Age-group athlete with dwarfism says INCREDIBLE goal is “in his grasp” at Challenge Roth
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

Share to...