Ironman Australia Secures its Future in Port Macquarie for at Least Five More

Why it matters: Ironman Australia will remain in Port Macquarie, securing the event's future for at least five more years.

Setting the pace: Last year, Ironman Australia celebrated its 35th anniversary and has been held in Port Macquarie since 2006. The event is supported by the Port Macquarie-Hastings Council and Destination New South Wales.

What they're saying:

• Geoff Meyer, Managing Director of Oceania for The Ironman Group: "Ironman Australia is the longest-running Ironman event in the country, and we're thrilled that the event will continue to be held in the Port Macquarie-Hastings region for the foreseeable future."
• Port Macquarie-Hastings Councillor Nik Lipovac: "We're all buoyed by this news, particularly as we usher in a new era of competition with this year's course refresh."

By the numbers:

• 35 years: Ironman Australia's history
• 5 years: Minimum commitment for the event to remain in Port Macquarie
• 36th anniversary: This year's event marks the 36th anniversary of Ironman Australia

Between transition: The event has grown from its humble beginnings in Forster  in 1985 to a must-do race for athletes worldwide.

Through time: The local community has continuously shown its support for Ironman Australia, with volunteers, local businesses, and supporters making it a bucket-list race for athletes.

The bottom line: The continuation of Ironman Australia in Port Macquarie not only provides a world-class event for athletes but also positively impacts the local economy, benefiting the region and its community.