Queensland’s Toughest Triathlon Celebrates 30 Years in Goondiwindi.
The annual Barambah Organics Hell of the West triathlon is set to go ahead in Goondiwindi on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th February. This year, the festival celebrates 30 years in the local community amidst another set of unique challenges.
With 430 individuals and 80 teams vying for the Hell of the West title, the competition is regarded as Queensland’s toughest triathlon. Returning to the field are some of triathlon’s biggest names. World Champion Tim Reed, Australian Ironman title holder, Tim Van Berkel and young guns, Simon Hearn and Steve Mckenna will lead the men’s pack. From the women’s field, world ranked Amelia Watkinson, international powerhouse Ellie Salthouse and Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist, Gillian Backhouse will race against a quality field.
Race Director, Tim Richards said, “Support for this year’s event has been fantastic. Entries are up year on year. Whilst running a COVID Safe Event certainly presents its challenges, fewer events at a national level and the promotion of intrastate travel, has encouraged athletes and their families to support smaller events in their own backyard.”
The “Hell of the West” began life in 1989 as a short course event co-founded by local novice triathletes, Lex Dreier and David Vincent. The first race comprised of 40 athletes. In 1990, the event quickly transitioned to a long course, comprising a 2km swim, 80km bike ride and 20km run, to establish national recognition. Thirty years later, the event continues to operate and is more widely facilitated by the Goondiwindi Tri Club, Triathlon Queensland, Goondiwindi Regional Council and support from tourism-based industry bodies, Southern Queensland Country Tourism and Tourism Events Queensland. With visitors and guests participating in events across the weekend, the festival attracts in excess 2,500 people to the region.
MALE PRO
Tim Reed
Tim Van Berkel
Jake Montgomery
Lachlan Kerin
Anthony Carpenter
Dominic Churchett
Joshua Cresswell
Jarrod Harvey
Simon Hearn
Nathan Josefski
Nick Kenny
Justin Langley
Steve Mckenna
Caleb Noble
Max Quirk
Kieran Storch
Trent Thorpe
Eddie Vining
Fraser Walsh
Ethan Wight
FEMALE PRO
Amelia Watkinson
Ellie Salthouse
Gillian Backhouse
Shannon Chapman
Laura Dennis
Courtney Gilfillan
Ashleigh Hunter
Maddy Maud
Kylie Simpson
Hayley Sinton
Sarah Thomas