Having already competed on the Australian Age Group Team seven times between them, Don and Helen McArthur will pull on the green and gold once again when they compete at the World Triathlon Multisport World Championships Townsville this month.
The 12-day event will see 19 World Championship races take place from August 15-25 in Townsville, Queensland.
After playing various, unrelated sports growing up, the husband-and-wife duo took up triathlon in their fifties, with Don stating they both found enjoyment in training and competing together.
“We started doing triathlons in earnest in 2014,” said Don.
“Helen had had a running injury and so started swimming, and the squad coach turned out to be Hills Tri Club champion, Nicki Mantova, who also happens to be my cousin’s partner.
“Helen got serious about training and ended up competing for the first time at a Pink Triathlon at Parramatta with the swim in the pool.
“I’d done a few short corporate triathlons and so thought I’d get a bit serious about training too – it was a good excuse to upgrade my bike!
“It was the first sport we found we both enjoyed doing together – we’d tried sailing and golf but found we weren’t compatible,” joked Don.
Now ten years on, the pair really feel as though they’ve found their place in the community.
“For an individual sport it’s amazing how strong the community spirit is,” said Don.
“We’ve loads of “Tri buddies” and “Lane buddies” from Hills Tri Club, the various training groups and wider triathlon community.
“There’s a lot of great athletes and coaches to inspire and motivate you and they also turn out to be lovely people,” he said.
Both Helen and Don plan to put their best foot forward at the event in August, with Don also striving to be awarded the World Triathlon Multisport Legend by completing six or more events in Townsville.
“I’ve always wanted to get a top 10 placing at Worlds, but it’s tough; so many in the top 10 are either ex-pro’s or have podiumed previously,” he said.
“I really hope I can qualify for a team spot for the 2025 Worlds in Wollongong, it will be tough as there’s a lot of quick guys coming in now, and I’m getting to the older end of the age group.”
Regardless of the outcome, Helen and Don McArthur are looking forward to the positive environment of the event and to catching up with friends within the community, with Don also noting how proud he is to compete alongside his wife.
“There are 20 Hills Tri Club current or past members doing Townsville World’s plus friends from other clubs, it’ll be a great party vibe,” said Don.
“It’s always uplifting to have friends cheer you on during an event. We give each other a high-five’s as we pass each other in races.
“I’m so proud of Helen’s progression in the sport as well. She didn’t have a swimming background when she started, now coaches point to her as an example of good stroke form.
“I’m so proud of her, so yes, it’s always great doing events together.
“The Parade of Nations is a great way to showcase the sheer volume of competitors and number of nations competing to the host community. It’s like a mini-Olympics. With this being Australia’s largest ever team of 1085 athletes, it should be an awesome sight.
“We can’t wait – bring it on!”
To find out more about the World Triathlon Multisport World Championships Townsville 2024, click here.
