Australia’s Ellie Salthouse and Jake Birtwhistle delivered commanding performances at Ironman 70.3 Sunshine Coast, storming to victory on the iconic Mooloolaba course and stamping their tickets to the 2026 70.3 World Championship in Nice.
For Salthouse, it was a dream debut on home soil. The Queenslander clocked 4:05:10 to claim her 19th 70.3 win, finishing more than five minutes ahead of Sunshine Coast-based Dutch athlete Lotte Wilms, with Penny Slater rounding out the podium.
“I’m feeling happy, I was very pleased with that. I had a few internal goals that I wanted to accomplish, so I got them all, and I’m just really happy to take the overall win,” said Salthouse. “This is as close as it gets to my hometown race. It’s always magical to win with the crowd cheering your name, so it’s really special.”
After exiting the water just behind Wilms, Salthouse quickly seized control on the bike and never looked back. By the run, her advantage was untouchable, allowing her to soak in the atmosphere. “I wanted to race from the front, that’s always my plan at these races… when I came out of the swim just behind Lotte and passed her through T1, I knew I was on for that.”
For Birtwhistle, it marked his second Ironman 70.3 title, two years after his maiden win in Hobart. The Tasmanian crossed the line in 3:38:29, more than two minutes clear of Josh Ferris, with Yoann Colin completing the all-Australian podium.
“I’m feeling really good. That was kind of the plan to come here and get the win, so really glad to tick that box and have a good race out there today,” Birtwhistle said. “I’m happy to get another win. It’s been a few years since the race in Hobart so it’s nice to stand on the top of the podium again.”
The men’s race stayed tight through the bike, but once on the half marathon Birtwhistle’s strength was clear. “I knew my running was going really well… I just had to stick in that front of the race and then play to my strengths and do what I could on the run and take it away from there,” he explained.
Both champions will now shift focus to the 2025 Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Marbella this November, with Salthouse eyeing a podium and Birtwhistle eager to test himself on the global stage.
Top 3 women
- Ellie Salthouse (AUS) – 4:05:10
- Lotte Wilms (NED) – 4:10:17
- Penny Slater (AUS) – 4:12:37
Top 3 men
- Jake Birtwhistle (AUS) – 3:38:29
- Josh Ferris (AUS) – 3:40:37
- Yoann Colin (AUS) – 3:41:59