IRONMAN Western Australia (IMWA) has been secured for another three years, with the State Government announcing funding until 2020.
The annual five-day festival, held in Busselton, features three key sporting events and a range of supporting events. The pinnacle of the festival is an IRONMAN triathlon, where participants complete a 3.8 kilometre swim, 180 kilometre cycle and 42.2 kilometre run.
There is also an IRONKIDS event, which gives children aged between seven and 13 the opportunity to take part in a triathlon, and the IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon, which was introduced to the schedule last year and allows participants to complete half the distance of an IRONMAN triathlon.
The event is expected to contribute about $23.5 million to the WA economy over the next three years, drawing competitors and spectators from 41 different countries including Singapore, Japan, Great Britain and the United States of America.
IMWA also has a positive impact on the local community through the employment of more than 100 contractors and 1,700 volunteers – the majority coming from the local area.
Tourism Minister Paul Papalia said the triathlon continued to grow in popularity and delivered significant economic and social benefits to the State.