Mandurah Ironman

In the past couple of weeks I had noticed some of those big electronic signs on trailers parked on the side of the road saying that the Traffic Bridge would be closed on the 21st, and there were a few letterbox drops about an Ironman event being held this weekend but, as usual, if it was about something that required physical fitness I paid little attention.

Then some big marquis started appearing around town on both sides of the estuary mouth and I thought, this could be a significant thing for the city (it's really a big sleepy town).

This morning I woke up early as usual, about 4:30. Can't work out why that is happening. About an hour later I heard a helicopter overhead and looked out and realised it was a camera helicopter. So, let's go and have a look. Mrs Bush reluctantly dragged herself out of her blissful slumber and we were out of the house by 6:00.

We found a vacant block on one of the canals and watched a whole lot of swimmers go by. They were being cheered on by people on their balconies and by surf-rescue people in kayaks.

Once they went passed we drove into the Foreshore and watched the bicycle stage come through from Hall Park. Seventy kms on a bike after swimming the canals.

A lot of the participants brought their friends and families as cheer squads and great whoops and hollers went up when they rode past. It was great to see, and the riders obviously benefited from this support, powering out of a roundabout.

Then it was the running stage. Swimming, riding and running, all by the same athletes. It made me feel fit just watching them.


By this time the crowd had swelled around the Finish Line and huge cheers were going up.

I thought it was terrific to see such a large number of visitors and locals supporting this event. Especially the locals because road closures and disruption usually only brings complaints.

After the Mens and Womens winners had crossed the line I was exhausted so we went to Murphy's Irish Pub and had a lager sandwich for lunch, washed down by an icecream next door.

Now I'm hoping there is a Blancmange Man event scheduled so I can enter that.

This was called the Ironman 70.3. Maybe if David or Michelle are reading this they can explain the "70.3" as I know they are into activities like this.

Anyway, well done to all involved this morning.