Race Reports

Mark D's Race Report My path to triathlon over the past year or so has been a slow & unexpected one. I’ve been cycling for about 5 years, took up running about 2 years ago, & decided in early 2025 that if I wanted to take the plunge into triathlon, I needed to improve my swimming. So 2025 was a year of consolidating a few things; training more regularly, being a bit more focused, trying to eat better, looking at new triathlon bikes instead of new road bikes, all with the view to completing the Melbourne 70.3 towards the end of the year. Something that if you asked me a few years ago if I would ever consider doing, the answer would be “never”. This was the race where I was going to overcome my doubts. Go beyond what I thought was possible. Prove to myself that I had it in me. And then, on the morning of the race, after flying down to Melbourne earlier in the week with the family in tow, the swim was cancelled. I wasn’t going to complete my first 70.3 after all. I won’t lie - the prospect of getting in the ocean in the pouring rain, in freezing weather, wasn’t all that attractive. But - the ride & the run went ahead, & I learnt a lot. I learnt that riding 90kms as fast as you can, in the wind & rain, is very different to a 90km coffee ride. And that a 21.1km run after that ride is exhausting. I also learnt that the first five minutes after crossing the finish line gives you such a great rush & sense of achievement that is hard to find anywhere else, & all the pain, discomfort & effort is worth it. And most importantly, I learnt that this is something that I want to keep doing & getting better at. The Melbourne 70.3 event, despite the weather setbacks, was great fun. Beautiful scenery (on a sunny day), a great crowd, & a fantastic event to start my 70.3 journey.

Hannah G's Race Report What an awesome week in the south of Spain, with friends, family and a big CTC contingent. On race morning unusually for me, nerves were minimal, I was instead just excited to get out there and race the best in the world and see what I could do. The swim in the Mediterranean was incredible with clear water, schools of fish beneath and spectacular mountain views. The bike leg was pretty challenging (as expected!!), featuring over 2,000 metres of elevation across the 90km course. Having never previously raced a hilly 70.3, this significantly altered the race dynamic. Negotiating long climbs and technical switchbacks on a time-trial bike was demanding but ultimately one of the highlights of the day. Despite pacing the bike conservatively, the impact was felt early in the run, with fatigue setting in pretty fast. However, the run course was lined with supporters, including many CTC members, as well as friends and family, whose encouragement kept me moving. Overall, it was a privilege to compete against the strongest age-group athletes in the world. The depth and quality of the women in my category was impressive and motivating and I hope to one day do it all again.

Ollie A's Race Report The 2025 Noosa Triathlon was a special one for me — not just another race, but a collection of firsts, milestones, and genuinely good fun. This was my 96th race in 11 years, but remarkably, my first time racing at Noosa. Hard to believe it took that long. I entered this year in support of the Humpty Dumpty Foundation, which added an extra layer of purpose to the day. The Build-Up The lead-in felt different from most races. I’d been working the mapleROO stall at the expo for the two days prior — long hours on my feet, chatting to athletes, talking nutrition, and sharing waffles. It could have been draining, but instead it kept me relaxed and connected to the atmosphere. Weather-wise, it was classic tropical Queensland: hot sun during the day followed by heavy storms rolling through in the afternoons. Humidity hung thick in the air. But race morning delivered a gift — calm, clear, and surprisingly mild. The early start wave time turned out to be a saving grace, especially knowing how quickly the heat can build on the run. Going in, I felt completely relaxed. No pressure. No overthinking. Just racing for the fun of it. Swim – 1.5km Ocean Start Standing on Noosa Main Beach at sunrise, I felt calm. Ninety-five races before this had taught me that nerves are optional. The gun went and the usual ocean chaos unfolded, but I stayed composed. The conditions were kind — manageable chop and good visibility. I focused on long strokes and clean sighting. I found space early and settled into rhythm quickly. No panic, no spikes in effort. Just smooth, controlled swimming. I exited the water feeling fresh and exactly where I wanted to be. T1 – Longer Than Expected What caught me off guard was the length of T1. It felt like a cross-country run before even touching the bike. Longer than expected, but controlled. No rush, no wasted movement — just steady through the transition and onto the mount line. Bike – 40km of Pure Enjoyment The ride course was thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish. There had been so much talk about the hill section beforehand — warnings about how tough it would be — but honestly, I found it to be the most fun part of the day. The winding, tree-lined S-bends were brilliant. You could stay aero, hold smooth power, and flow through the turns. That’s exactly what I did. Rather than attacking the climbs with surges, I pushed consistent watts, staying composed and using the terrain to move up through the field. It felt controlled but assertive — picking athletes off smoothly without blowing up. The whole ride felt like rhythm riding. Smooth lines, steady pressure on the pedals, and constant forward momentum. Nutrition was absolutely on point. I fuelled the race with mapleROO waffles pre-start, plus mapleROO drink mix and gels throughout. Energy stayed stable, no dips, no gut issues — just consistent output. By the time I rolled into T2, I felt strong and ready to run. Run – 10km Execution The early start wave proved invaluable. While the day would later turn hot, we were spared the worst of it. My run went exactly to plan. I settled into a consistent pace early and held it. No surging. No fading. Just steady, controlled effort throughout. Cadence stayed high, breathing controlled, posture tall. The goal was even effort, and that’s what I delivered. Because I’d paced the bike well and fuelled properly, I was able to maintain that rhythm all the way to the finish. No dramatic fade, no survival shuffle — just racing. The Result I crossed the line genuinely happy. 4th in the Charity Wave (racing for the Humpty Dumpty Foundation) 6th in my Age Category For my first time racing at Noosa — and race number 96 overall — I couldn’t have asked for much more. Reflections What made this race special wasn’t just the placing — it was the experience. Working the expo beforehand. Racing for a cause. Feeling relaxed instead of pressured. Fueling perfectly. Riding the “hard” section with a smile. After 11 years in the sport, it’s satisfying to arrive at a start line calm and simply enjoy competing. Noosa lived up to its reputation — atmosphere, course, energy — and I’ll definitely be back in 2026.