Mount Isa triathlete Kimberly Alcorn is planning to reclaim her title when she returns to the Julia Creek Dirt N Dust Festival next year.
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Alcorn was the first woman to cross the finish line in 2019, and is training for a back-to-back win at her third Dirt N Dust triathlon in 2020.
She said her 2019 win was like no other.
"Looking back that was the fittest and happiest I have ever been within myself and my triathlon performance," Alcorn said.
"I would love to retain my title at Dirt N Dust, but it all depends on who decides to make it out for the event., there are plenty of people who are faster then I am. It would be great to have a lot of local competition and I'd like to see the triathletes in Mount Isa make Julia Creek their A race and put in a lot of effort leading up to April 17."
Alcorn isn't the only returning champion with Jye Spriggs also preparing for the 2020 event.
Alcorn said it was the event's vibe that kept her going back each year.
"I compete all over Australia and I still think that the Outback towns are unique and have a relaxed feeling about them," she said.
"And those that aren't competing are just so joyful and supportive regardless of who you are, which creates a great vibe."
With the event held from April 16-19, Alcorn said it was a bit far away to start prepping for that race.
"I have a couple of other races prior to that, but it will certainly be an A race that I will be training for come late January," she said.
"I am lucky that I have a coach that does a lot of my training planning for me, but it is a a lot of quality over quantity. Training includes sprint sets instead of long distance sets, focusing on increasing the VO2 max, (maximal oxygen uptake) and getting the muscles rapidly firing."
Alcorn said there were many challenging elements of the Dirt N Dust triathlon but she felt ready.
"Once you have witnessed the headwind you know what to expect, but you still don't know if on the day it will be ridiculous. It could be easier to catch the tailwind back to Mount Isa then go the 20km into Julia Creek," she joked.
"But that is what makes it a challenge, with every petal you are getting closer to your destination.
"The time of day is also a challenge, starting at 9am it is quite warm but it is a flat course and once you're on that run you have got more support then you could wish for."
Alcorn hopes to win the Dirt N Dust triathlon so it will add to her points tally to qualify for the World Championship again in 2020.
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Samantha Campbell
Samantha Campbell (nee Walton) has worked for regional and rural publications across New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory. She is currently writing for the North Queensland Register based in North West Queensland. Email: samantha.campbell@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Samantha Campbell (nee Walton) has worked for regional and rural publications across New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory. She is currently writing for the North Queensland Register based in North West Queensland. Email: samantha.campbell@austcommunitymedia.com.au
