- The sold-out IRONMAN Western Australia kicks off today in Busselton
- Over 3,000 athletes to take part in the event, with thousands of visitors travelling to WA to watch
- Mass participation event will boost local hospitality businesses and tourism operators
Athletes competing in the IRONMAN Western Australia will hit the ground running, swimming, and cycling in Busselton today, as the sold-out event kicks off at Geographe Bay.
Taking place annually since 2004, IRONMAN Western Australia has long been a drawcard event for Western Australia, bringing close to 8,500 visitors to the region in 2022, and generating over $9 million in economic benefits for the South West region.
This year's event will see over 3,000 athletes on the starting line, of which almost 50 per cent have travelled from outside of WA to compete in the race, with thousands of additional out-of-state visitors also expected to attend to watch the event unfold.
The course traverses the South West's stunning landscapes, with the swim section taking place alongside and underneath the iconic Busselton Jetty.
IRONMAN Western Australia is supported by the WA Government the Regional Events Program (REP), which supports medium to large regional events across WA that increase visitor numbers to the State's regional communities, supporting local jobs and businesses.
Find out more about the IRONMAN Western Australia atironman.com/im-western-australia
As stated by Tourism Minister Rita Saffioti:
"IRONMAN Western Australia has been a staple in WA's calendar of mass-participation events for close to two decades, and I'm very excited to see it take place again this year in Busselton in another sell-out.
"This year, we're seeing locals and visitors flock to Busselton in big numbers to witness the excitement of these athletes competing in the IRONMAN Western Australia, with almost half of the competing athletes travelling to WA from out-of-state.
"Competitors and spectators are sure to be wowed by the incredible landscapes and landmarks of the South West during their visit to the region, including the iconic Busselton Jetty."
As stated by Regional Development Minister Don Punch:
"This hugely popular annual event shines a global spotlight on Western Australia's South West and the beauty of the State's natural wonders, as well as supporting local businesses in the community.
"Large-scale events like IRONMAN Western Australia create vibrancy in our regional communities, generating employment, and volunteering opportunities that bring the community together.
"Events are vital for supporting and diversifying our regional economies, and the WA Government is proud to once again be supporting IRONMAN Western Australia through the Regional Events Program, funded by Royalties for Regions."
As stated by South West MLC Jackie Jarvis:
"We're very excited to welcome thousands of people from both within the State and outside WA to this annual drawcard in our region, which brings in valuable visitor spending and supports local operators.
"These types of events always create a fantastic atmosphere in the community, so I encourage locals to head down and check it out as well."
