The Challenge Cairns Triathlon is an ironman event that takes place around May and June and consists of a 180km bike ride, a 3.8km swim and a 42.2km run.
The athletes will enter the water off Yorkey’s Knob. The swim leg is a two lap course. The bike segment will take in the coastal roads. This is also a two lap course. The final run will take the competitors to the finish line in Cairns. This run is a three lap circuit.
The prize money on offer is $142,000. Queensland Premier Anna Bligh said, "Challenge Cairns will have the highest prize money of any Challenge branded triathlon in the world, making it the second-richest triathlon event in the world". An entry fee of $600 is needed to enter the Challenge Cairns. Lower cost events include the Cairns Half Triathlon, Coral Coast Olympic Triathlon, Coral Coast Sprint Triathlon and Coral Coast Enticer Triathlon.
Those in Cairns not competing may want to take part in the Charity Fun Runs, these events cover a distance of 10km and 5km, while a community festival is also expected to form a big part of the events surrounding the Challenge Cairns Triathlon.
Challenge triathlons hold many events around Europe, including triathlons in the countries of Spain, Denmark, France and England. They also have an event in Wanaka, New Zealand. Australian triathletes Courtney Ogden and Josh Rix finished in the top 5 of the 2011 New Zealand men's event. Jamie Whyte of New Zeland won his home event. In the women's event, Australia's Belinda Granger had a convincing win over a strong field, with Australian Christie Sym finishing in third position. Belinda Granger had previously won the event in 2007.
Other large Ironman competitions in Australia include the Ironman Australia at Port Macquarie and the Ironman Western Australia at Busselton.
