A high school teacher from Hughenden has taken on the toughest triathlon in the country, accepting the challenge of the Julia Creek Dirt n Dust triathlon.
For Nicholas Collingwood, 25, this was his second year participating in the South32 Triathlon, after he participated as part of a team last year.
“Last year I only did the running leg, so this year I thought why not do the full punishment and do the whole thing,” Mr Collingwood said.
“I started a goal at the start of the school term and said while I am out here teaching in north west Queensland, I would get involved in as many things as possible as there is so many awesome things to do out here.
“It was tougher than I expected, but I didn’t start walking the run which was good sign and I was happy with.”
Leading up to the festival, Mr Collingwood was swimming and riding once a week and running in between his sport commitments, but said nothing could prepare him or the strong headwinds he faced.
“The headwinds were unexpected and caught me off guard,” he said.
“You might normally train cycle around 30-35 kilometres an hour and here you are struggling to get over 24.”
Although some competitors may be put off competing in the toughest triathlon again, Mr Collingwood said he would be back next year.
“The reason I believe competitors keep coming back is because the people who organise it, run it and volunteer.
“Their hard work makes it such a great event and that is what makes you want to come back.
“But it is not only the triathlon, it is the races, PBR and the whole atmosphere of the festival.
“It is good to mingle with everyone and talk to them about their torture in the triathlon as we are all in the same boat,” he joked.
Nicholas Collingwood placed 34th in the standings and finished the triathlon with a time of 01:36:49.