HISTORY OF THE BUSSELTON HALF IRONMAN

Triathlon WA was established in 1986 as the governing body to oversee and promote the further development of the sports of triathlon, duathlon and aquathlon in Western Australia. Triathlon WA is a non-profit organisation and is affiliated to the national governing body Triathlon Australia which has over 10,000 members. Triathlon WA has over 1,700 members, most of whom also belong to 15 affiliated clubs around Western Australia, 8 of which are located in the country.

Triathlon WA’s network of clubs is based as far north as Port Hedland and as far south as Esperance. Participation rates by non-members are estimated to be 10 times these numbers and the reach and touch of Triathlon into the community far greater again.

The 2008 Busselton Festival of Triathlon is owned and run by Triathlon WA. All proceeds from the Festival and Triathlon WA’s other activities are used for the conduct and development of triathlon, duathlon and aquathlon in WA.

The history of the WA State Long Course Triathlon Championship continues, as it enjoys its seventh year in Busselton. The race began in Midland in 1983 with 49 people completing the race and was held there for two years. It consisted of distances of 2km swim, 54km cycle and 20km run. In 1985 it went to Rottnest with competitors racing the same distances as previously. The event continued in November 1986 with the cycle distance increasing to 81km for the 83 competitors. In 1987 the event moved to May experiencing horrendous conditions including gale force winds, hail, and pelting rain. Many competitors suffered from hypothermia or injuries sustained from being blown off their bikes at speed. In 1988 the event moved to Collie to avoid a repeat of the conditions at Rottnest in 1987. However, it returned again in 1989, with the advent of the first short course support event to help off¬set some of the costs of the Long course event. In 1997, the race moved from the Rottnest Pub to Kingstown Barracks and was also the Australian Long Course Championships that year. 2000 marked the last Rottnest Long Course Title, unbeknown to almost all that day. After much discussion, the event made the bold move to Margaret River for 2001, but it was soon apparent that the event had also outgrown that area in just one year.

In 2002, WA’s Half Ironman Triathlon found another new and exciting home in the beautiful South West town of Busselton with a course featuring calm, crystal waters in the swim, flat, fast roads through varying scenery on the cycle and a flat run along the beautiful Busselton waterfront. Since 2002, Triathlon WA, in partnership with the Shire of Busselton, the Cape Naturaliste Tourism Association and the business and local community of Busselton, has overcome all challenges to deliver consecutive Festivals that have surpassed all previous successes. Record numbers of participants each year have confirmed what Triathlon WA already knew – in Busselton, Triathlon WA has found the right combination of venue, participant support and partnerships to continue to develop the Festival into one of the biggest iconic, participation based sporting events in Western Australia.