In January 2024, to much excitement and fanfare, it was announced that the 2025 World Triathlon Championship Finals would be held in our own backyard, Wollongong, Australia.
With the official start of season 2024/2025 (where the majority of qualification races are to be held), we felt it was a great time to give you all the low down and info that you need to know.
What is this event? What’s the history of Age Group World Champs? How do I qualify? Where do I get the rules and info I need? Who do I contact if I have questions that need answering?
The History of World Triathlon Championships Finals in Australia
The concept of ‘Age Group Competition’ within triathlon emerged to encourage wider participation, allowing athletes who were not considered ‘professional’ to compete against others in their age brackets.
It allows ‘Age Group Athletes’ the opportunity wear the green and gold kit, represent their country in a unique format that is not exclusive to athletes seeking Olympic qualification. It’s one of the awesome elements of the sport of triathlon, the envy of other sports around the world.
The first event held on home soil was the 1991 Gold Coast ITU Age Group Triathlon World Championships held on the 13th of October 1991. This brought together 544 males and 489 females.
Featuring plenty of New South Wales athletes, one of whom is Belinda Soszyn, a current Cronulla Triathlon Club Life Member and all-round legend of the sport. She took to the start line at the inaugural World Championships held on home soil and took home an incredibly respectable fourth place. She was so excited about racing at Townsville Multisport World Champs next week, that she sent us this video!
Another legend on the start line in the 1991 inaugural home world champs held on the Gold Coast was Robert Pickard, who hails from the South Coast of NSW.
After Rob’s first exposure on the world stage, he went back and raced at 11 more competitions. This level of commitment made us sit down with Rob to get the insight scoop on what was so special about the concept.
‘Racing the qualifying races with the goal of heading to the World Championships really maintained my fire and passion in the sport for over 40+ years’.
Reflecting on racing on home soil, you couldn’t help but hear the rise in passion in his voice ‘The very first World Championship Age Group event was in Vancouver the year before, but truthfully, not many Aussies knew about it or had been able to get over. So when the event hit the Gold Coast, the sport really announced it’s arrival. For many this was the first-time people realised what this concept was all about, and how amazing it was.
And when asked about the specialness of racing on home soil, ‘Crossing the finish line and having the support and ovation of the home. The crowd roars every Aussie along. There isn’t anything like the experience! Sometimes winning, sometimes not, but the memories remain for ever;
The eyes of the (triathlon) world now firmly turn to Wollongong, for what promises to be something remarkable and special, and more importantly, for many NSW members, close to home!!!
Tell me more about Wollongong 2025!
The 2025 World Triathlon Age Group Triathlon World Championships will be held in Wollongong on the 15th to the 19th of October 2025.
Four events will be offered:
- Sprint Distance Triathlon (Draft Legal) – 750m Swim, 20km Cycle (Draft Legal), 5km Run – Time trial bikes are not allowed during this event.
- Mixed Team Relay (Draft Legal) – 300m Swim, 5km to 8km Cycle (Draft Legal), 1.5km to 2km Run. Each athlete will complete all 3 legs before handing over to the next team member. – Time trial bikes are not allowed during this event.
- Standard Distance Triathlon (Non-Draft Legal) – 1.5km Swim, 40km Cycle (Non-Draft Legal), 10km Run
- Standard Distance Aquabike (Non-Draft Legal) – 1.5km Swim, 40km Cycle (Non-Draft Legal).
You don’t have to choose just one distance either, remember, you can qualify in more then one distance should you be interested!
I’ve got lots of questions, where do I get more info.
There is only one source of information regarding this event, and that is the AusTriathlon website.
Australian Age Group Triathlon and Multisport Team – AusTriathlon
There are lots of really important FAQ’s that you should read: Frequently Asked Questions – Age Group – AusTriathlon
Ok, you’ve got me intrigued / interested / convinced. How do I qualify?
You need to know where and when the all importan qualification races are being held across NSW / ACT (or every other state to maximise your chance of qualification!)
Australian Age Group Triathlon and Multisport Team – AusTriathlon
