Geelong ready to host Ironman 70.3

THE world’s best endurance athletes will arrive in Geelong this weekend, but they all had to start at a local club before they competed in an Ironman.

Geelong’s Kate Bramley has been competing in triathlons for 15 years and took the step into coaching in 2019.

Since then, she has helped people achieve their triathlon ambitions, from full Ironman events to local sprint races.

No matter the scale of her squad’s goals, Bramley is thrilled to help them compete to their best abilities.

It is this accessibility and variety of disciplines that makes her love the sport so much.

“There’s lots of different disciplines – the 70.3 is one distance but there’s so many other different things you can do within triathlon and multi-sport,” Bramley said.

“I’ve got a passion for off-road racing and mountain biking and trail running. We’ve got running events that people train up for in the off season, there’s a bunch of different distances can compete in, too.

“I’ve got athletes that do beginner triathlons that are like enticer distance that are quite short, and then all the way through to full Ironmans, which is double the distance that’s happening next weekend.”

For Bramley, the moment someone starts training, they have succeeded. The dedication and drive to train and compete, no matter who they are,is inspiring.

“Everyone who participates is an athlete; you’re an athlete regardless of how good you are,” Bramley said.

With less local triathlon events coming to Geelong than previously, having the Ironman 70.3 run locally is significant for Bramley and her community.

Her athletes have been training – some for years – for this event and are doing everything in their power to bring more eyes to it.

Whether cheering someone they know or just looking to see something new, Bramley encouraged everyone to check it out.

“From a squad’s point of view, the Geelong 70.3 is a really big goal for the season, in whatever capacity that looks like,” she said.

“It’s a main part of our calendar in terms of what are we all training for, what are we doing. It’s great to have a hometown race that is this big.

“Any publicity in terms of events is good, it means everybody gets to see the sport, they’re exposed to it, their friends are doing it, their family members are doing it, and they’re like ‘Oh, hey, if that person can do it, surely, I can’.

“Triathlon’s got people of all ages, all body shapes and sizes, and to see an event like that out on the streets is fantastic.”

The Geelong Ironman 70.3 will begin at the Geelong foreshore this Sunday, 22 March at 6am.