The Noosa Triathlon is an annual standard distance triathlon (1500m swim, 40 km bike, 10 km run) held in Noosa, in the Australian state of Queensland and organised by the World Triathlon Corporation. Since its first race in 1983 the competition has evolved from a single day race into an annual five-day multisport festival celebrating sports participation, healthy lifestyles, fitness and fun. The feature event on the final day of the festival is the Noosa Triathlon.
The founders of the Noosa Triathlon were David Power (former Australian Olympian and Commonwealth Games Medalist, a long distance runner), and his friend Joe Gilbert (Golden Gloves Champion Boxer, Queensland Rugby 'Reds' player, a swimmer and runner). Together with the Noosa Heads Lions Club, [of which Joe was a member], they staged the first Noosa Triathlon in October 1983.
Apart from the prize money which was paid to the various winners, the balance of funds raised from entry fees was donated to various voluntary organisations in the Noosa area which had assisted in the running of the event. Every fourth year, this 'surplus' was donated to the Australian Olympic Appeal.
In 2009 as part of the Q150 celebrations, the Noosa Triathlon was announced as one of the Q150 Icons of Queensland for its role as an "event and festival".[1]
Participants who have completed the event 30 times as individuals are awarded "Golden Legend" status. Standard "Legends Club" membership is after 10 events (recipients too numerous to list presently).