Gold Coast Triathlon

The Gold Coast Triathlon is an annual Olympic Distance and sprint distance triathlon event held annually around April on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. It is considered one of Australia’s largest and most prestigious triathlon events, attracting thousands of amateur and professional athletes from around the world to take on the challenges of swimming, cycling, and running along the iconic Gold Coast coastline and Hinterland.

Event updates: https://www.theeventcrew.com.au/event/gold-coast-triathlon/

Event Background

The Gold Coast Triathlon was first held in 1990, making it one of the longest-running triathlon events in Australia. It began as a small local event aimed at promoting triathlon in the Gold Coast region. In its early years, the race attracted only a few hundred competitors. However, it grew steadily in popularity throughout the 1990s as triathlon boomed globally thanks to its inclusion in the Olympic Games from 2000 onwards.

By the late 1990s, the Gold Coast Triathlon was established as one of the premier springboard races for Australian and Oceania athletes aiming to qualify for national teams and international competitions like the ITU World Triathlon Series. Professional prize money was introduced in 2000, attracting elite international fields. The event has since cemented its status as the flagship triathlon event on the Gold Coast calendar.

Notable moments in the event’s history include winning bids to host elite ITU World Cup races in 2001 and 2009. This brought world-class triathlon stars to battle it out on the Gold Coast. Local athlete Emma Jackson also achieved victory at the 2009 World Cup race, a first for an Australian athlete on home soil.

The Gold Coast Triathlon continues to grow each year, attracting thousands of participants across various race distances. It remains hugely popular with recreational athletes, elite competitors, and fans alike who come to experience the unique aspect of multi-sport racing against an iconic backdrop.

The event is also a memorial to Luke Harrop who tragically lost his life on a training ride in 2002.