The annual Barambah Organics Hell of the West (HOTW) triathlon is set to go ahead in Goondiwindi this weekend, Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd March, 2022. Following the postponement from the traditional February date and recent rains resulting in a last-minute change to the course, the committee look forward to proving that HOTW is still Queensland’s toughest triathlon!
With 380 individuals and 70 teams vying for the HOTW title, some of triathlon’s biggest names are returning to Goondiwindi. Past World Champions Tim Reed and Pete Jacobs will be taking on a hungry group of aspiring young professional triathletes. While in the women’s event, six-time winner and queen of the HOTW, Sarah Crowley, will race against a quality field including Netherlands Olympian Lotte Wilms.
Race Director, Tim Richards said, “Coordinating this year’s event has been hellish – from mitigating COVID concerns earlier in the year to recent rains that have now raised water levels in the MacIntyre River beyond safe measure for Sunday’s feature event. Despite these challenges though, local support from the committee and community have prevailed and the event is sure to be fantastic”.
Running an event, such as HOTW requires a nimble group of organisers. And for 31 years, nimble they have been. Tim says, “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 like HOTW, resulting in great numbers this year. Recent rain has also presented new challenges and has forced us to relocate the swim leg for the HOTW to the Goondiwindi Botanical Gardens. Whilst the event will run under slightly different conditions this year, I’m confident our event will live up to its tag as the Toughest Triathlon in Queensland and at the same time visitors will be able to experience our region at a beautiful time of year.”
Super Saturday has quickly established over the years with the emergence of people looking to escape to the country for a weekend outdoors. Featuring a 5km and 10km charity run, the ‘Firestarter’ – a sprint triathlon for people looking to ‘give triathlon a go’, and ‘Hell Kids’, a participation race for children aged 6-11 years, the weekend has something for everyone.
Tim said, “Support from the local community is what drives this event. We have over 300 volunteers that help to facilitate the race as well as strong support from local sponsors and the business community. The Goondiwindi Tri Club comprising over 100 members helps to produce the event every year. Without everyone, we couldn’t facilitate the event at the standard we do”.
The ‘Hell of the West’ began life in 1989 as a standard distance course and 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 Goondiwindi Triathlon Club continues to operate the event and is more widely facilitated by Triathlon Queensland, Goondiwindi Regional Council and support from tourism-based industry bodies, Southern Queensland Country Tourism and Tourism EventsQueensland. With visitors and guests participating in events across the weekend, the festival attracts in excess 2,500 people to the region contributing an estimated $400,000 with direct economic and tourism impact.
Mayor of Goondiwindi Regional Council, The Honourable Councillor Lawrence Springborg AM said: “The Hell of the West is a major event for the Goondiwindi region, which our community is extremely proud of. It’s involved thousands of volunteers and significant business support over the years to reach such a remarkable milestone. The event promotes our region to visitors from near and far, which is great for the local economy, and a credit to the organisers that they can continue to attract large crowds resulting in booked out hotels and motels. I have confidence the committee will deliver another safe, action packed, family friendly event to kick start the new year.”
Several free activities in the Goondiwindi Town Park will be on offer across the weekend as well as a chance to discover more on farming and agriculture sectors that greatly support the region. Barista-made coffee and a range of sweet and savoury treats from local cafes and producers will be on offer as well as a jumping castle and snow cones for the kids. As HOTW culminates this year, wrap up the weekend at the Queensland Hotel for an afterparty not to be missed.
For more information or to enter the 2022 Festival of Hell, visit https://www.hellofthewest.com/
