Trio of Triathlon Greats Announced as Noosa Walk of Fame Inductees

NOOSA, Australia (November 01, 2012) – At the Official Launch of the Noosa Triathlon Multisport Festival tonight a special presentation in honour of the 30th Anniversary of the triathlon was unveiled. Three of the events most significant names were announced as inaugural inductees on the Noosa T

NOOSA, Australia (November 01, 2012) “At the Official Launch of the Noosa Triathlon Multisport Festival tonight a special presentation in honour of the 30th Anniversary of the triathlon was unveiled.   Three of the events most significant names were announced as inaugural inductees on the Noosa Tri Walk of Fame.

A joint initiative between the Sunshine Coast Council and USM Events, the Noosa Tri Walk of Fame was launched to celebrate the significant milestone the event has reached and acknowledges the support and commitment from all stakeholders in helping to achieve this.

The finish line has received a facelift and now features the Walk of Fame which will showcase the events history and the people who have been an important part of that history. The area will evolve over the next several years with the names of Walk of Fame inductees sandblasted into the pavers.

Two of Noosa Triathlon’s most celebrated winners – Emma Carney and Craig Walton – and one of the events founders, Garth Prowd, OAM, received the honour of being the first inductee’s into the Walk of Fame.

Carney won the first of her two elite Noosa titles in 1997 when she set a course record that still stands (1:54:22). The multiple world champion also won in 2000.

Carney had an extraordinary career, dominating the world stage for years and earning a reputation as one of the most feared competitors in the sport.

The Australian captured a staggering 12 straight ITU World Cup wins between 1995 and 1997 and won her two World Championships in 1994 and 1997.

“Noosa was always very special to me, I think it is the best race in the world, fantastic crowd and great atmosphere.” said Emma.

“Given the history of this race with so many champions, I’ve never had an honour like this given to me during my entire career.

“Noosa is very, very special.”

Craig Walton was the world’s most dominate swim/bikers in the sport when he won the first of his six Noosa titles in 1997. Like Carney, Walton set the men’s race record (1:44:13) that year. It is a mark that no man has come close to bettering in the years since.

“Being inducted into the Walk of Fame is one of the biggest honours of my sporting career.” said Walton.

“When I started my career in triathlon I never dreamt of winning six Noosa titles, let alone having my name engraved in the pavement at the finish line at Noosa.

“Noosa Triathlon has always held a special place in my heart. I started my career there and it was only fitting to finish my career there. I will cherish this award for the rest of my life”.

After his initial win in 1997 he then claimed a hat-trick of wins from 2002 “2004 before Chris McCormack disrupted his winning streak in 2005. Walton resumed his winning ways in 2006 and 2007 before retiring as the rightful King of Noosa.

After competing in the first Noosa Triathlon back in 1983, Prowd was one of the founding members in the early years and officially joining the committee in 1985. Forming USM Events as it is knows today, Prowd has not only been the driving force behind the success of the world famous race but also in establishing the Multisport Festival as we know it today.

“No one understood the magnitude of what was happening as over the next three years, it grew to become the biggest triathlon in Australia,” said Prowd.

“To get the event to this stage is really a culmination of a lot of hard work by a lot of people.”

USM Events IRONMAN Asia Pacific CEO, Geoff Meyer, was on hand to present Garth with his plaque.

“I am the one that feels honoured to be able to present this to Garth, who has not only been my mentor for the past 10 years but to acknowledge his outstanding contribution to this iconic event and the wider triathlon community,” Meyer said.

The Noosa Triathlon Multi-Sport Festival is supported by Events Queensland as part of a growing calendar of sporting, cultural, regional and business events across the state.