Koala briefly runs through a triathlon
May 7, 2024 4:51 PM Subscribe
Koala briefly runs through a triathlon.
Runners in this year's Ironman Australia triathlon at Port Macquarie got a surprise as they made their way through the challenging final leg on the New South Wales Mid North Coast.
A male koala, known to inhabit the area, made its way straight across the course in front of runners and towards a gum tree.
The moment was captured on camera by local resident Jason Hannah, who lives near the triathlon course.
Runners in this year's Ironman Australia triathlon at Port Macquarie got a surprise as they made their way through the challenging final leg on the New South Wales Mid North Coast.
A male koala, known to inhabit the area, made its way straight across the course in front of runners and towards a gum tree.
The moment was captured on camera by local resident Jason Hannah, who lives near the triathlon course.
I can't believe that Australians would put themselves at risk like this, having a triathlon in the rage of a free roaming koala. What must the insurance for the event be like?
posted by hippybear at 4:56 PM on May 7
posted by hippybear at 4:56 PM on May 7
Hey mate
posted by supermedusa at 5:44 PM on May 7 [2 favorites]
posted by supermedusa at 5:44 PM on May 7 [2 favorites]
While the koala didn’t finish the race, I feel he deserves credit for giving it a try.
Not only did he not finish, he didn't even koala-fy!
ba-dum, tissshhh
posted by Greg_Ace at 6:15 PM on May 7 [12 favorites]
Not only did he not finish, he didn't even koala-fy!
ba-dum, tissshhh
posted by Greg_Ace at 6:15 PM on May 7 [12 favorites]
Cute little fucks.
"My apartment is infested with koala bears. It's the cutest infestation ever. Way better than cockroaches. When I turn on the light, a bunch of koala bears scatter. And I don't want em to, I'm like, "Hey hold on fellas. Let me hold one of you. And feed you a leaf." Why do koala bears- they're so fucking cute, why do they have to be so far away from me? We need to ship a few over, and I will apprehend one, and hold him, and pet him on the back of his head."
posted by Windopaene at 6:37 PM on May 7 [4 favorites]
"My apartment is infested with koala bears. It's the cutest infestation ever. Way better than cockroaches. When I turn on the light, a bunch of koala bears scatter. And I don't want em to, I'm like, "Hey hold on fellas. Let me hold one of you. And feed you a leaf." Why do koala bears- they're so fucking cute, why do they have to be so far away from me? We need to ship a few over, and I will apprehend one, and hold him, and pet him on the back of his head."
posted by Windopaene at 6:37 PM on May 7 [4 favorites]
My friend Marcy used to make a brew of various leaves and other things, including fur off of koalas. It tasted great, but there were always bits of fur and twigs in it that made the experience of drinking it nasty. I asked her roommate why they didn’t pour it through mesh before serving, but she insisted that “the koala tea of Marcy is not strained.”
posted by GenjiandProust at 11:46 PM on May 7 [3 favorites]
posted by GenjiandProust at 11:46 PM on May 7 [3 favorites]
it looks as though the koala is bent over and barfing there on the verge at the end of their mad dash through the triathlon, which to be fair is not an uncommon occurrence for the triathletes themselves after a long run
posted by chavenet at 2:44 AM on May 8 [2 favorites]
posted by chavenet at 2:44 AM on May 8 [2 favorites]
With those short legs, it wasn't like he was going to do well on the bike, running was all he had.
posted by tommasz at 5:06 AM on May 8
posted by tommasz at 5:06 AM on May 8
This is actually really sad. Koalas only compete in endurance sports events when they are sick or very stressed out. They normally prefer low impact activities like walking, Tai Chi, or Aussie Rules Football.
posted by Rock Steady at 7:06 AM on May 8 [2 favorites]
posted by Rock Steady at 7:06 AM on May 8 [2 favorites]
As if "bear" wasn't already a shoo-in for the "man vs bear" debate.
posted by xigxag at 12:41 AM on May 9
posted by xigxag at 12:41 AM on May 9
« Older Save the Whales -- All-Cetacean division | Monocycle Mayhem!!! Newer »
posted by GenjiandProust at 4:55 PM on May 7 [4 favorites]