What’s it all about….
The Busselton Festival of Triathlon is gearing up for its 24th year in 2025, and it’s shaping up to be more exciting than ever! A beloved highlight of the triathlon calendar, this iconic event has a deep history, with its Long Course origins spanning Rottnest Island, Collie, and Margaret River before settling in Busselton in 2002. Since then, the festival has flourished into a weekend-long celebration. It’s more than just a race – it’s a gathering of athletes, spectators, and supporters all united by a love for multisport.
In 2022, the festival evolved with the launch of the hugely successful Busselton 100 triathlon. Athletes tackle a 2km swim alongside the iconic Busselton Jetty, ride 80km through the stunning Ludlow Tuart Forest, and finish with an 18km run along the picturesque Busselton Foreshore.
The festival has something for everyone, from beginners to seasoned triathletes. The Busselton 100 Teams Triathlon is a fantastic, light-hearted way to experience the sport with friends, while the Aquabike offers a great option for those recovering from injury or simply not keen on running. And don’t forget the Foreshore Triathlon, with Sprint and Enticer distances – so popular, it sells out every year!
For kids just getting started in the sport, the Busselton Kids Triathlon is the perfect introduction to triathlon excitement! This untimed race is all about fun and support, giving young athletes the chance to experience the thrill of racing without the pressure. They’ll get to swim, bike, and run, crossing the finish line just like the pros. It’s a fantastic way to build confidence, create unforgettable memories, and spark a lifelong love for the sport!
What makes this event truly special is that it’s proudly owned and operated by Triathlon WA (TWA), the non-profit State Sporting body for triathlon and multisport in Western Australia. The small team at TWA put their heart and soul into creating an unforgettably awesome experience for everyone, and supporting the community for triathletes in WA.
Busselton, the tourism and event capital of WA, provides the perfect backdrop for this unmissable festival. Whether you’re racing, spectating, or exploring the beauty of Busselton, this event is your excuse to soak it all in. Don’t miss your chance – come and be part of something extraordinary! See you on the start line.
History of the State Long Course Championships
The WA State Long Course Triathlon Championship is celebrating its 42nd year in 2025, marking the 24th year of the event being held in Busselton. The race had its humble beginnings in Midland in 1983, before Triathlon WA was established, with just 49 participants completing the inaugural race. It remained there for two years, featuring a 2km swim, 54km cycle, and 20km run.
In 1985, the event moved to Rottnest, maintaining the same race distances. The following year, Triathlon WA was founded as the state governing body for triathlon, and in November, the race continued at Rottnest with the cycling leg extended to 81km for the 83 competitors. In 1987, the event shifted to May and faced extreme weather conditions, including gale-force winds, hail, and heavy rain. Many athletes suffered from hypothermia or injuries after being blown off their bikes at high speeds.
To avoid a repeat of these conditions, the event moved to Collie in 1988 but returned to Rottnest in 1989. That year also saw the introduction of a short course support event to help manage the costs of the Long Course race.
In 1997, the race headquarters shifted from the Rottnest Pub to Kingstown Barracks and served as the Australian Long Course Championships. The final Rottnest Long Course event took place in 2000, although few participants knew it would be the last. After extensive discussions, the event relocated to Margaret River in 2001, but it became clear within a year that it had outgrown that location.
In 2002, WA’s Half Ironman Triathlon found a new and exciting home in the picturesque South West town of Busselton. The course featured calm, crystal-clear waters for the swim, flat and fast roads through scenic landscapes for the cycle, and a run along the stunning Busselton waterfront.
By 2010, the event was rebranded as an Ironman 70.3 triathlon and became part of the global Ironman 70.3 qualification series, a status it maintained until 2022. Over time, the event expanded to span an entire weekend.
In 2022, the event evolved into its current format. The Busselton 100 distance now consists of a 2km swim alongside the iconic Busselton Jetty, an 80km cycle through the Tuart Forest, and an 18km run along the Busselton Foreshore, passing through an event village packed with spectators cheering on the athletes. The event continues to grow, now serving as a weekend-long festival celebrating both sport and community, with activities catering to all.
Triathlon WA has been involved with the WA State Long Course Championships since the beginning. As a non-profit organisation, managing the Busselton Festival of Triathlon is crucial in supporting Triathlon WA’s mission to serve over 2,000 members and 19 affiliated clubs, while also fostering the growth of triathlon across Western Australia.
From its modest start with fewer than 50 participants, the event has grown to attract over 2,000 competitors, including elite and age group athletes from around the globe. The success of the event is a testament to the support and passion of the WA triathlon community, the City of Busselton, Tourism Western Australia, DLGSC and the local community, all of whom play a vital role in helping Triathlon WA deliver one of the most iconic and significant triathlon events in the Southern Hemisphere.
