First Nations Athletes Prepare for Ironman Australia
Koorinya Moreton, a First Nations woman from Yuin and Bundjalung country, is among nine Indigenous athletes gearing up for the grueling Ironman Australia triathlon in Port Macquarie this Sunday.
Moreton, who now resides on the Gold Coast, has been training for the event as part of the IronMob project, a program launched 18 months ago to encourage more First Nations people to participate in triathlons and prioritize their health and wellbeing.
"The experience has been truly empowering," Moreton shared. "We go to different triathlon events together, train, and participate, which reduces anxiety and fosters a strong sense of community."
Moreton and her fellow athletes, Robert Briggs, Leisa Leon, Raymond Landers, Bobby Maher, Oliver Whiteley, and TriMob leader Nat Heath, hope to inspire others within their community.
Noongar man Nat Heath, a seasoned Ironman competitor, established TriMob in 2020 to encourage more First Nations participation in triathlons. IronMob, an extension of this program, aims to empower individuals through the challenge of an Ironman triathlon.
"We recently had over 50 First Nations people participate in a triathlon-based event," Heath said. "Three years ago, you'd be lucky to see two or three."
Heath emphasizes the transformative power of TriMob, not only in terms of physical fitness but also in fostering self-belief and camaraderie.
"Some of our group struggled to run three to five kilometers, and now they're taking on a 3.8 km swim, 180 km bike ride, and 42 km run in one day," he said. "The change in them physically has led to a change in their personal belief of themselves."
Moreton's goal is to cross the finish line and soak up the race experience after months of dedicated training.
The Ironman Australia triathlon promises to be a testament to the resilience, determination, and community spirit of these First Nations athletes.