RACE REVIEW
Most triathletes will have one or more bucket-list races that they want to compete in or experience . Others have certain races that they keep coming back to year after year . The people-lined roads of Solarer Berg at Challenge Roth , the gruelling heat and ultimate test of Kona and the 21 hair-pin turns of Alpe d ' Huez are likely to be the type of races that appear on the bulk of these wish lists .
Julia Creek , 664km west of Townsville in North Queensland , may not be the first notion that springs to mind when one searches for the ultimate triathlon excursion , but it probably should be . The town plays host to the Dirt ' n ' Dust festival which is not just a triathlon , but also an experience that is as country as a Slim Dusty concert .
The festival sees the population swell from less than 400 to just shy of 4000 , with a wall-to-wall weekend of unique , all-inclusive events and activities that are superbly embraced by the locals . There are also plenty of options for accommodation with multiple motels , a caravan park and camping areas available for the weekend .
A junior triathlon kicks off proceedings on Friday afternoon with a dip in the local pool , a cycle on the flat , expansive streets and a rolling run on a red dirt road that oozes outback . This is a genuine grass-roots event that the kids revel in and it makes the weekend a truly family affair .
There is more entertainment Friday evening with live music and novelty events including the world-famous bog snorkelling . Julia Creek is rich in artesian water and this is pumped up to fill the pit in which competitors snorkel . A combination of mud and inevitable hi-jinx combine to make it one of the main attractions of the festival . The best part is , this is only an appetiser for a huge Saturday .
Saturday ' s triathlon requires athletes to load their bikes onto a gigantic B-triple cattle truck for transportation to the swim start in a split transition race . Again it is a unique part of this event .
The race kicks off with an 800m out and back swim in conditions that many are unlikely to have encountered before , but they are conditions that all involved seem to enjoy immensely . It is the rare opportunity to experience a dip in a tree-lined country waterhole - just another element adding to the true beauty of the event .
Then it is onto the bike for a straight 25km jaunt back into the town centre , exploring some flat , expansive terrain with an added challenge . The prevailing wind for the race almost always guarantees that the ride will feature a headwind . Who says you need to go to Kona to test yourself in these sorts of conditions ?
After a solid toil on the velo , it is a three lap 5km run around the town centre , and this is where the locals really turn it on . The street is lined with people cheering and lending much needed encouragement as runners cut a swathe through the heat . Another added bonus is the multitude of aid stations along the street providing all the essential refreshments .
You can also see street performers belting out all the country classics like Copperhead Road or The Gambler as the runners pound the sun-baked pavement in unison with the music .
As soon as the race finishes , Julia Creek knows how to relax and party ! The afternoon kicks off with a race meeting featuring a classic dusty racecourse and fashions on the field competitions for both adults and kids alike .
From there it ' s onto D ’ n ’ D central for the evening with a PBR bull-riding event providing a genuine spectacle . This event also includes an intermission show and concludes with a firework spectacular .
After this it ' s live music , with James Blundell headlining in 2017 along with the Bull Dust band . You can even enter Australia ' s best butt competition and strut your stuff on stage for a crack at your own 15-minutes of fame .
Julia Creek has absolutely nailed it when it comes to the complete triathlon weekend . It is like nothing else on the calendar , and it ’ s organised perfectly . So start scratching a few off that bucket list and put the Dirt ' n ' Dust Festival right at the top for next year .
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