Every year thousands and thousands of dollars are raised to aid in the fight against breast cancer. Those who have rallied to the pink anti-breast cancer flag have made amazing strides towards better treatments and a cure over the past few decades, but of course, there is still so much work and research to be done.

As mere mortals, there isn’t much we can do with a microscope and a lab coat – that work is better left to the professionals, but we can still play our part. It’s time to lace up your running shoes, throw on some flamingo feathers, and limber up at the starting line for this year’s Sunshine Coast Pink Triathlon. For those who haven’t heard of it, Triathlon Pink or the Pink Triathlon is a series of events held throughout the year and all over Australia by the National Breast Cancer Foundation in an effort to raise funds for research into the prevention, detection, treatment and hopefully a cure of breast cancer and forms a part of their new “Zero Deaths from Breast Cancer by 2030” project. Since the foundation’s establishment in 1994 they have managed to raise over $115 million dollars for over 400 Australian based research efforts aimed at improving the health and well-being of those affected by breast cancer. The event itself, since its inception in 2007, has raised over $1.89 million for breast cancer research, support and care – with an attitude geared towards fun and participation all in the name of a fantastic cause.

This April 29th the Sunshine Coast is proud to be hosting its own Triathlon Pink event, right here at the University of the Sunshine Coast in Sippy Downs.

This year all legs of each event will be held on University grounds, making use of its fantastic walking and riding paths, and state of the art gym swimming pool and giving competitors the opportunity to enjoy the surrounds of the nature reserve – compete with the University’s infamous grey kangaroo population cheering you on from the shade. The event has a bracket for every level of fitness and age, from the Ultra Triathlon for the fittest of the fit, to kids Triathlons, to the simple fun run. For those wanting to run together as a team, teams have a minimum of two participants, and a maximum of three. Your entry fees will only go towards covering the cost of the event itself, the key to truly making an impact from your efforts is to start early, and pester all of your friends to sponsor you in your charitable efforts.

Optional early check-in for competitors opens on Saturday the 28th of April, along with a tip and tricks clinic held for those running their first Tri, or just those looking for a little more information on the event itself, before things really kick off on the Sunday. The Ultra truly is a test of your Tri-metal, with a 600m swim, 16km bike ride, followed by a 6km run that is sure to leave even the fittest of the fit breathing heavily. For the less insane amongst your the “Long” event consists of a 300m swim, an 8km ride, and a 3km run to finish things off. The Medium, Short, 10-13, and 7-9 events in turn are half the distance of the previous, the Fun Run, on the other hand, consists of a 6km swim – the longest effort by far, followed by a 3km ride and a 1km run. There truly is an event for everyone at this year’s Sunshine Coast Triathlon Pink – so why not give it a go, in the name of fighting a disease that takes its toll on millions around the world every day?

For more information and registration, visit the event’s website and take a stand, or a run, against Breast Cancer.