AusLeisure

The Cairns Airport Adventure Festival has been recognised as Australia's top event by Parks and Leisure Australia (PLA).

Receiving the national Award for Events from the PLA at a gala ceremony at the Cairns Convention Centre during last week's PLA National Conference, the event was recognised for its promotion of active lifestyles and its community interaction and benefit.

Receiving the award - jointly presented to Cairns Regional Council and IRONMAN Asia-Pacific – Cairns Mayor Bob Manning said the recognition was well-deserved, given the tremendous amount of hard work that had gone into building the international event.

Mayor Manning stated "the investment by IRONMAN Asia-Pacific demonstrates faith in our region and Council is proud to be associated with this annual showcase of fitness, endurance and sheer determination.

"It's fair to say that the same attributes have been demonstrated behind the scenes, where an incredible amount of planning takes place. I commend and congratulate the IRONMAN Asia Pacific team for their ongoing commitment to making the event one of the best international sporting events in the country."

Ironman Asia Pacific Chief Executive Geoff Meyer said it was a great honour for the Cairns Airport Adventure Festival to be rewarded with the PLA Award for the 2013 event.

Meyer added "we'd like to thank the community for embracing and supporting the event over the past four years.

"The unique peripheral festival events and the pinnacle IRONMAN race showcase the best of Tropical North Queensland which encourages athletes to return each year and labels it as must do event on the circuit."

This is the second time in four years that Cairns Regional Council has received the national Events Award from PLA, having accepted the award for the Cairns Tennis International in 2011.

The Cairns Airport IRONMAN Cairns event is globally renowned as one of the most scenic courses in the IRONMAN calendar.

In 2014, over 3,200 registered athletes took part in the event which began with a 3.8 kilometre swim in the stunning tropical environment of beaches of Palm Cove; a two lap, 180 kilometre cycle along the Captain Cook Highway to Port Douglas and back (seen as the world's most picturesque IRONMAN cycle leg), winding back into the heart of Cairns for the bike to run transition in the Cairns festival village, where athletes undertook a three lap, 42.2 kilometre marathon encouraged by cheers from the city and the event's supporters.

The Cairns Airport Adventure Festival, incorporating the Cairns Airport IRONMAN Cairns, will be held from 7th to 14th June 2015.

For more information on the PLA Awards go to www.parksleisure.com.au

Click here for more information on the Cairns Airport Adventure Festival. 

29th August 2014 - PARKS AND LEISURE AUSTRALIA RECOGNISES INDUSTRY EXCELLENCE

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