Airlie Beach Triathlon a hit with young athletes
JUNIOR athletes from throughout the state converged on the Airlie Beach lagoon for the Airlie Beach Junior Triathlon on Saturday afternoon.
More than 90 young athletes took to the water in their respective age groups of under 8's, 8-10 years and 11-13 years before heading for their bikes in the Broadwater Avenue car park transition zone.
Individual athletes and teams registered for the event and enjoyed competing in near perfect conditions with hundreds of supporters cheering them on.
For Whitsunday Christian College student Angus Menzies, the race was his first major triathlon event.
"It was a really good course but the hardest part was definitely the run at the end," the 11-year-old said.
"I'm looking forward to having a go at competing in other triathlons in Mackay, Bowen, Townsville and Hamilton Island."
Race director Janelle Eastwood said the Ergon Junior Triathlon event was a participation event and every competitor was a winner.
She said the junior triathlon was not timed with all participants receiving a medal for their efforts.
Many of the children returned the next day as spectators to see some of the state's best triathletes competing in the main Airlie Beach Triathlon event.
