Triathlon is a sport that offers competitors the opportunity to set and accomplish challenges for themselves, fostering an environment of inclusivity, community and fun.
Paul McDonald found his way back into the sport in 2016 through his desire to complete an Ironman after spending time focusing on marathons.
“My neighbour suggested I start training with him, and I thought ‘I could never do an Ironman, – that’s insane’,” McDonald said.
“Then it became the thing where you slowly chip away at it, and you realise ‘oh actually I can do that’, so I joined the Darwin Tri Club and the rest is history as they say, I fell in love with the sport and I did an Ironman the following year.”
After falling back in love with triathlon, Paul has been consistently competing in events for almost 10 years, and shared that it’s the smaller, community events that are best to be involved with.
“The obvious answer would be to say some of the bigger events, but actually the best times I’ve had have been in the local community races with Darwin Tri Club,” he said.
“You don’t realise how unique we have it up there in the NT, until you compare it to other states.
“Now looking back, it’s those little Sunday events where you turn up and everyone is really happy and excited to be there.
“It’s a real open community which we really love, and the community events are more memorable because in bigger events like an Ironman, you don’t necessarily know the competitors around you, there’s no continuing connection.”
With the year coming to an end, Paul is looking ahead to the 2025 season of triathlon, and is excited about the prospect of competing in more local Northern Territory races.
“This year I did Ultraman and everyone has been asking me what my big goal is for next year, but it’s for me to really enjoy those smaller local races,” McDonald said.
“I don’t need to travel, I don’t need to pack a bike, I can just turn up on a Sunday and race with some friends.
“I’m really looking forward to short, fun, local races, and anyone I know from interstate that has raced in an NT event, doesn’t truly understand what they’re like until they come and see it.”
Also a member of the Australian Defence Force, Paul shared that the club community welcomes the force with open arms, making it easy for them to enjoy events.
“The club works really nicely with the Defence Force, because we have such a transient population,” he said.
“So we find that it’s really good for the people in defence, because sometimes when you’ve come into a club that has had the same people for 20 years, it can be hard to be the outsider.
“But I do find a lot of our defence people view the club as something really good to get into.”
Despite thoroughly enjoying competing in races around Australia, it is the famous community of triathlons that keeps bringing Paul back year after year.
“Initially it was the challenge of competing that drew me in, but now it doesn’t matter what event you turn up to, everyone is really nice and welcoming,” McDonald said.
“Unlike team sports where it takes a while to crack, at triathlon no one cares if you’re first or last, competing with a new or old bike, but everyone is there to help each other and it’s just a really fun family sport.
“I’ve got two kids who are now 13 and 10 and they compete in triathlons with me, and my wife does them too.
“It’s a really open sport and that’s what I like about it.
“You can set your challenge at whatever you want, so you have the people who turn up to a sprint for fun and walk the whole way, and the people who want to do an Ironman in under 10 hours.
“No one judges anyone for any of those, and triathlon is a really nice and inclusive sporting community.”
If you are interested in getting involved in triathlon, head to https://www.triathlon.org.au/ to find an event near you.
