19th ‘Big Husky’ Tri welcomes 5,000 athletes
There’s still time to sign up as a volunteer or a competitor
February is famous for the Husky Tri – aka the Huskisson Triathlon Festival, that is coming our way on the weekend of 24-25 February.
The Husky Tri events courses hug the shoreline of the Jervis Bay Marine Park and finish in White Sands Park. Photo: supplied
The weekend-long schedule has something for everyone, including free events, kids competitions, and a market-style atmosphere in White Sands Park.
Organisers Elite Energy told JB Weekend that there’s still space for more volunteers across the weekend, covering registrations, rehydration stations, and marshalling for competitors and pedestrians to make sure everyone is headed in the right direction.
Six local groups have committed their members to volunteer, including Jervis Bay and Sapphire Coast Outriggers, Navy cadets, Bolong church group, Illawarra Pathfinders, and the Bearded Fishermen. Everyone receives expert training and support to fulfil vital roles that mean a smooth-running event.
There is still time to sign up as a volunteer and enjoy the events from a unique perspective. Photo: supplied
Founder of Elite Energy Mark ‘Emo’ Emerton says there are plans afoot for the 20th anniversary of this event next year, in 2025, and people are already asking about it.
“Husky was the first event I organised on my own, after handling the logistics for the road events at the Sydney 2000 Olympics,” Emo said.
“I love what I do, and my team creates an event that people like coming back for, and Husky and the community make it worth coming back.”
The Walk of Fame will appear again this year, with life-size photos of past winners lining the path. There’s talk that these guys might be involved in something special next year.
The ‘main event’ is the Husky Ultimate, which Emo says is one of the preeminent long-course triathlon events in Australia. The challenging course includes a 1.9km swim, 90km bike and 21.1km run all along the shores of the Jervis Bay Marine Park.
There is truly something for everyone at this year’s Festival, says Emo, “We created an event that brings the whole family together, from the kids triathlon and a short 2km race right up to the Ultimate.”
There are some great free events, including a sunset yoga session and a sunrise yoga session, a swim clinic, and a charity race.
Keen beans can start their festivities with a glow-stick lit night race on the Friday, complete with DJ and family-friendly atmosphere.
Five-time Ironman World Champion Craig ‘Crowie’ Alexander will be hosting several events for the community, including a social run that starts our from the Jervis Bay Brewing Co at 6pm on the Thursday 22 February.
A community bus will run throughout the weekend from midday to 7pm, taking the pressure off parking.
There are stops at the Vincentia shopping village, the Husky Bakery and the Woollamia industrial zone near the Jervis Bay Brewing Co.
Emo says all the staff at Elite Energy know what it’s like to be an athlete in one of these events. “It’s an in-house running joke, everyone has to compete in one event every year,” he says. “They can feel the vibe, the atmosphere, right down to how the athletes are treated by our staff.” That helps the team to keep creating better and better events.
There’s an event for everyone at the ‘Big Husky’ triathlon festival every February. Photo: supplied
Among the stallholders in the market area will be leading brands in sports apparel, eyewear and performance products, along with a range of food, coffee and ice cream vendors.
Emo told JB Weekend that the team is so proud to have been awarded the World Championships event next year in Wollongong – five days of triathlon events for men, women, para-athletes and youth. They are working hard to produce a world-class event.
There’s still time to get involved in the 19th “Big Husky” as an athlete, volunteer or spectator.
Check out the full program online, and make contact with the team to be part of the fun.
www.eliteenergy.com.au/event/ultimate-husky
