Exercise is, unfortunately, a very integral part of a healthy lifestyle for us humans. Apparently, that means more than the occasional walk to and from the fridge, as I am so very accustomed to. On the other end of the spectrum is a grouping of incredible, masochistic humans who live for their running, swimming, or riding. For some, it’s all about vanity, for others, pushing their bodies to the limit of human endurance. It’s not just insanity, this is an actual sporting event – the Triathlon. This year these incredible athletes are flocking from all over the world to take part in the 36th annual Noosa Triathlon, as part of the Noosa Multi-Sport Festival this October 31st until the 4th of November.

Few such sporting events can rival the size and drawing power of the Noosa Triathlon Multi-Sport Festival. It’s hard to compete against Noosa’s incredible coastline, flanked by breathtaking hinterlands. The main event, the Noosa Triathlon will take place on the final day of the festival, on Sunday the 5th of November. The waves of competitors will begin at 6:15am and fittingly begin with a one and a half kilometre swim in the calm blue waters of the Laguna Bay, just off the Noosa main beach. Following up the swim will be an incredible forty kilometres of riding up and out of Noosa, and into the Hinterlands itself along the Noosa-Cooroy road, through the Tewantin State Forest. To bring the event to an end will be the ten kilometre run in and around Noosa itself, taking in all it has to offer before finally climaxing at Lions Park, just off the infamous Hastings Street.

In addition to the main event, there will, of course, be a number of other events that you can take part in – from the “Noosa Run-Swim-Run”, the “Breakfast Fun Run”, the “1000 Ocean swim” and the ever popular “Noosa Superkidz Triathlon”. All proceeds from these events will be going to charity, as this is a not-for-profit event. There are a number of beneficiaries this year, including; Smiling for Smiddy, Heartkids, National Breast Cancer Foundation, Beyond Blue, Cancer Council Queensland, Make a Wish Australia, Cystic Fibrosis Queensland, RSPCA Queensland, the Cure Brain Cancer Foundation, and the Kids Foundation. Every year this event raises hundreds of thousands of dollars for all of these fantastic organisations that are more than worthy of everyone’s support, and every little bit counts as always.

If you’d like to sign up to put your body on the line in some form or another this year, or simply would like to support those who do, then visit the Noosa Triathalon Multi-Sport Festival’s webpage on the Ironman website.