National triathlon on the cards for Dwellingup in 2018

The Mandurah and Peel Tourism Organisation (MAPTO) is currently lobbying with Elite Energy Events to bring their X-Terra National Championships to the Shire of Murray’s iconic townsite in 2018, 2019 and 2020.

Elite Energy Events started holding major multi-sport events in 1999, and currently runs more than 20 competitions, including triathlon, running, cycling, off road, ocean swimming and duathlon events, across Australia.

The two-day off-road triathlon in Dwellingup would include swimming at Lane Poole Reserve, and mountain bike and trail running along Marrinup and Turner Hill, sites which have already been inspected by Elite Energy Events.

It is expected 300 West Australians, 180 Peel region residents and 120 interstate competitors would take part in the event, with the potential for expanding the competition to the Asia-Pacific region in the next few years.

According to the Shire of Murray, visitors to the region for the event would stay an average of three nights in the area.

Shire councillors voted in favour of allocating $10,000 a year between 2017 and 2020 towards the event, which is expected to contribute with $924,000 per event to the local economy.

“It is this types of events that the Shire of Murray is trying to establish to turn Dwellingup into a national and future international trails centre,” the Shire of Murray said.

“The event would bring significant economic benefit to the Shire and the region and it could become a long-term international event.”