Corey Borthwick and Brad Hilton from Inverell and Kacey Willoughby (now based in Mooloolaba on the Sunshine Coast) attacked the 3.86 kilometre swim, 180.25 kilometre ride and the 42.2 kilometre run that made up the Iron Man event.

Hilton said the weather leading into the event was not ideal with significant rainfall in the area.  

“This had an impact on the river levels and visibility in the water,” Hilton said.  

“But, weather conditions on the day were pretty good with only a few showers.”

He said Kacey Willoughby excelled in the event again this year.  

“This was Kasey’s eighth Iron Man, which is a massive achievement,” Hilton said.  

“Kacey finished the entire race in 10 hours and 6 minutes. It placed her third in the ladies 30-34-year-age group and even more impressively the seventh female to finish overall.  

“Kacey even beat home some of the professional female athletes.”

Borthwick and Hilton both finished the race. It was Borthwick’s fourth Iron Man and Hilton’s first.  

Borthwick finished in 13 hours 22 minutes and Hilton came in at 14 hours 14 minutes. Both athletes said it was a massive day for them and they extremely proud of finishing.  

Borthwick has already signed up to compete in his fifth Iron Man in 2016, while Hilton is yet to decide whether he will be back to compete again.   

Hilton said special mention should be made to all the supporters of the local athletes who braved the weather conditions and helped cheer them home.