- Brisbane’s Andrew Nash & Prudie White win Open Age Group T100’s
- Olympians Harry Garside (boxing) & Britt Cox (freestyle skiing) tackle T100
- Defending Aussie WTCS champ Matt Hauser strolls 10km with mystery pacer
- Event confirmed to return in 2027 on 20-21 March
Gold Coast, Australia: The Gold Coast T100 Triathlon delivered a big weekend for the sport down under, with more than 5,000 amateur athletes taking part across 21-22 March – as well as a few special guests.
Following a masterclass from the professional T100 women off Surfers Paradise on Saturday, led by American superstar Taylor Knibb, who claimed her sixth T100 victory, and an impressive second place for British T100 debutant Jessica Fullagar that was reported locally and around the world, the mass participation events took centre stage on day 2.
Over 1,700 triathletes ranging in ages from 18 to 70 years contested the gruelling T100 event consisting of a 2km swim, 80km cycle and 18km run.
The men’s and women’s Open Age Group titles were exciting finishes, decided in the closing stages of the run leg. Brisbane’s Andrew Nash timed his first T100 race perfectly. He made his winning move inside the final two kilometres to win in 3:34.05.
Matt Jackson (3:34.45) from Sydney was second with Glenn Strutt (3:36.00), an osteopath from Brisbane third.
Brisbane physiotherapist Prudie White (main picture for the press release) was the first female across the T100 finish to get under the coveted four-hour mark (3:58.42). The 25-year-old made her move with six kilometres to race, passing Chelsea Seymour (4:01.38). British racer Claire Rendall was comfortably third (4:03.54). Athletes who finish in the top 10 for their Age Group win the right to take part in the T100 Age Group World Championships, that will take place at the Qatar T100 Triathlon World Championship Final on 11-12 December, 2026.
Olympic Athletes From Other Sports Tackle T100
Olympians Harry Gardside and Britt Cox both went out of their comfort zones of boxing and freestyle skiing respectively to challenge themselves.
Garside went around in 4:10:58 on his T100 debut, saying: “It was good to really push myself towards the back end of that run. It gives me some more things to work on, to make sure I break the four hours next year. That’s the focus now.”
Cox commented: “That was so fun. I am absolutely wrecked but what a beautiful place – this event was so well run. Having so many spectators out there today, really got me over the line.”
There’s more reaction from them both in the key quotes below.
The great atmosphere on course, across both days of racing, was a real highlight for all athletes and the Gold Coast 10km run on Sunday morning was no exception. It event managed to attract Australian reigning World Triathlon Championship Series (WTCS) champion Matt Hauser, who ran around with his girlfriend Georgia Humphreys as well as a mystery ‘pacer’, who turned out to be British Olympic triathlon champion Alex Yee.
Hauser had teased on social media in the week building up to the event that he would get Yee to pace him. Yee was on the Gold Coast doing an elite training camp with British Triathlon. But it was still a surprise to see the winner from the Paris 2024 Olympics strolling over the finish line.
Speaking to local media who spotted him, Yee said: “It was fun. I just came to pace some friends so it was nice to get involved with a good Gold Coast event and feel the energy. It’s nice to get involved with all kinds of people, especially with running events, you get all kinds of ages and everything…what a privilege.”
“Just for one more week and then I’m home. So nice to be down on the Gold Coast for a couple of weeks, but I’ve got to go back to reality and back to the UK.”
The Gold Coast T100 Triathlon will return in 2027 on 20-21 March. To guarantee your spot, visit: https://in.registrations.protriathletes.org/gold-coast-t100-2027?currentPage=select-competition
KEY QUOTES
Sam Renouf – CEO at the Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO)
“We were thrilled to be here in Australia. It’s a country which, since the inception of the PTO, we’ve said we would love to have a major event here. This is maybe three years in the making, so it’s been rewarding for all of us to see it come to fruition and create an absolute cracker of a weekend of swim, bike and run in the heart of Surfers Paradise.”
“We’ve had some great feedback from the professionals on the course yesterday, especially the surf swim which was very different to what most of them are used to – and from the comments on social media appears to have been a hit on our broadcast as well.”
“We sold out the amateur T100 in just nine days which was very encouraging for a first time event in a new market for us – and evidence of the swift recognition of the T100 brand by the triathlon community and host cities we’re visiting.”
“I want to say a big thank you to Ben [Mannion] and his team at Events Management Queensland. Without their help and support this wouldn’t have been possible and we’re excited to have confirmed that we’ll be returning next year – on 20-21 March, 2027.”
Ben Mannion (pictured above speaking to Channel 9) – CEO at Events Management Queensland (EMQ), a major event management company wholly owned by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland. EMQ partnered with the PTO on the Gold Coast T100, which is part of EMQ’s expanding portfolio of major sporting events, that includes the ASICS Gold Coast Marathon, the Toowoomba Running Festival and the Pan Pacific Masters Games. The event is also supported by Experience Gold Coast and the Queensland Government through Tourism & Events Queensland.
“Look at the backdrop we’ve got right here on Surfers Paradise beach. It’s been a long time since anything like this has been held in Surfers Paradise, and everyone’s come out to have a look. The weather’s been kind, and it’s been a great weekend.”
On the pro race:
“Some of the athletes are not used to swimming in the ocean amongst those waves, but they were amazing and the feedback is that they loved it.
“There were a few Aussies in the field, and they also had a great time out there.
“It was a fantastic win by Taylor Knibb (USA), who is leading the championship and did really well last year as well – it’s great to have these world-class athletes right here on the Gold Coast.
“This event has been two years in the making – there’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes but we have some great partners in Tourism and Events Queensland and City of Gold Coast through Experience Gold Coast.
“It’s taken that long to get it all together, get the right course, ensure all the community engagement is in place but it has all come together really well.”
About the crowds:
“Yesterday in the pro-race we saw crowds that were lining the streets five deep, particularly in the running course – all the way to Broadwater Parklands and then south past Northcliff Surf Club. They were hanging over balconies, outside bars and cafes, cheering the athletes on. It’s been so great to see, and it will only get better.
Towards Olympics 2032:
“We are so blessed to have the triathlon on the Gold Coast for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2032, and this is a great runway into that event.”
Harry Garside – Olympic boxing medallist
T100 debut and time (4:10.58)
“I was hoping to get under four hours, but once I got off the bike, I just knew today it wasn’t going to be the day. I actually swam faster than I was supposed to. And then on the bike, I was feeling alright, but the run hurt the most.
“It was good to really push myself towards the back end of that run. It gives me some more things to work on, to make sure I do the four hours next year. That’s the focus now.”
Harder than boxing?
“It’s far harder than a boxing match. It’s very different, and you’re in full control of your fists. There are so many variables out there. And it was just so good to really push myself for four hours.”
Will you do another T100 again?
“Absolutely. I want to try to travel the world, that’s the plan. I’m only 28, so I’ve got plenty of time to make sure I do the rest. I don’t think I could do Singapore after that today. London, New York or Vancouver ? sounds delicious.
“It was so good to see so many people around the Gold Coast course. I swear the Gold Coast is like the most passionate place in Australia, so I’m really grateful to everyone out there cheering us on.”
Britt Cox – Four-time Winter Olympian, Moguls Skiing
“That was so fun. I am absolutely wrecked but what a beautiful place – this event was so well run. Having so many spectators out there today, really got me over the line.
“I came in with a bit of a rough preparation but considering that I am so stoked that I did it.”
Having been in Milano for the Winter Olympics (commentator for Nine):
“I think I managed to get two runs in the whole time I was there…that was the preparation I had and the advantage of being at altitude for three weeks, so I’m saying that was the main preparation.
“The thing I struggled with (after being in the snow) was the heat but we just grinded through and I took as much ice down the suit as I could and made it across the finish line.
“We had a big crew from Happy Pace out there today, a bunch of friends from all around Australia, lots from Melbourne and a few from Brisbane. It was nice to see the Happy Pace suits passing one another with lots of cheers along the way. “
Andrew Nash (Brisbane) – T100 Open winner
On making a winning break with 2kms to go:
“That was tough. I was holding pace with the two gents up the front there, and it was just like mind games. I got to an aid station, and I just thought you know, ‘just go for it’. I knew it was close between us, like 10-15 seconds, so I just had to make a gap and then stick with it.
“I thought if I had a good day, I’d be in the mix but I didn’t know who was turning up. I thought I’d be there or thereabouts – so I’m stoked.”
On the event and course:
“It was unreal, really good. It’s my first T100 event and the organisation, all the support, just the actual layout of it is fantastic. I can’t believe how many people have come out just to support it – it’s unreal.”
Matt Jackson (Sydney) – T100 Open 2nd place
“I didn’t quite have it for the win today, but I was really happy with the result.
“It was really good fun. I came here with my family, a seven-month-old and a three-year-old – the three-year-old came with me yesterday for some cheering practice. It was really nice to have them there today.”
First time doing a T100 and the crowds:
“Nice to try a new distance – I didn’t really have a plan, just swim, bike, run and stay in the group.
“The crowds were really good, especially on the run because there’s so many hotels along the way and everyone just pops down and cheers you on.
“I was a bit worried about potential rain, but the Gold Coast really turned it on”.
Prudie White (Brisbane) – 1st T100 Women
“I’m really happy with the win, but it was pretty brutal. It was fast and flat but the heat kind of got to you by the end, especially on the run. There was a pretty good tailwind going one way and then a crazy headwind coming back – so you kind of got two extremes.”
Taking the lead on the run leg:
“I could see the girl in front at the turnaround, so I kind of just tried to stay patient and wait. I could see I was slowly catching up, so I tried not to blow up but still did a little bit.
“With about 6km to go, I moved into the lead. I didn’t really think about the placings. I just tried to focus on my race and take it step by step and hope for the best.”
Combining work as a physiotherapist with training:
“It works out pretty well. I’ve got a good, flexible job. I work full time, but I really like my job, and I like training, so I make it all work.”
-ends-
Notes To Editors
You can access copyright free photography of the professionals and amateurs from this weekend’s Gold Coast T100 Triathlon in the ‘Media Select’ folder on Photoshelter here:
https://t100triathlon.photoshelter.com/galleries/C0000vnSxYW3NzFs/Media-Selects
For Further Information:
PTO – Anthony Scammell E: [email protected]
Events Management Queensland – Adam Gardini E: [email protected]
About Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO)
The PTO is a sports body that is co-owned by its professional athletes, seeking to elevate and grow the sport of triathlon and take it to the next level. Its T100 Triathlon World Tour was introduced in January 2024 and is designated by World Triathlon as the ‘official World Championship for long distance triathlon’. This is part of a 12-year strategic partnership with the sport’s international governing body to develop the sport and it will grow further in 2027 with the launch of the new Triathlon World Tour. The T100 Triathlon World Tour is a season-long schedule of World Championship level races competed over 100km (2km swim, 80km bike and 18km run), where the world’s best triathletes go head-to-head in iconic locations. In 2026, the T100 Tour will deliver its 9-stop T100 Race To Qatar to: the Gold Coast (21-22 March), Singapore (25-26 April), Spain (23-24 May), San Francisco (6-7 June), Vancouver (15-16 August), French Riviera (19-20 September), Dubai (12-15 November), Saudi Arabia (November) & Qatar (11-12 December). T100 weekends are ‘festivals of multisport’ and feature a range of opportunities for amateur athletes of all levels to get involved. From experienced amateurs tackling the 100km distance to first-time swim, bike and run participants taking on single discipline, untimed events. For more information visit www.t100triathlon.com
World Triathlon
World Triathlon is the international governing body for the Olympic and Paralympic sport of triathlon and all related multisport disciplines around the world, including duathlon, aquathlon, cross triathlon and winter triathlon. Triathlon made its Olympic debut in Sydney 2000, with a third medal event, the Mixed Team Relay, added to the programme at Tokyo 2020, while para triathlon was first added to the Paralympic programme at Rio 2016. World Triathlon is proudly committed to the development of the sport worldwide, with inclusion, equality, sustainability and transparency at our core as we seek to help triathletes at all levels of the sport to be extraordinary.
About Events Management Queensland
Events Management Queensland (EMQ) is a major event management company wholly owned by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland.
Managers of the ASICS Gold Coast Marathon, the Toowoomba Running Festival and the Pan Pacific Masters Games, Events Management Queensland produces high profile, mass participation sporting events that maximise economic and tourism impact to the region.
The events provide an enjoyable and memorable event experience that showcases Queensland whilst maintaining world class event management standards.
