A SEA of competitors were seen splashing into the ocean, cycling along Newcastle foreshore and running down Nobbys breakwall for the 31st annual Sparke Helmore Newcastle City Triathlon.
About 1200 triathletes signed up for the challenge on Sunday, November 10 and it was Maitland Triathlon Club competitor Monty Dixon who defended his crown with another comfortable victory.
The 20 year old, who turned professional at 16 and mostly races overseas, completed the sprint distance course. He did the 750-metre swim, 20-kilometre cycle and 5km run in one hour, three minutes and 59 seconds.
For the second year in a row, Dixon's fellow Maitland Triathlon Club member Cooper Lee was second (1:05.11).
Balmoral teenager Alex Eason was third (1:05.47) and Pelican veteran Nathan Stewart, a multiple event winner, was fourth (1:06.23).
Newcastle Triathlon Club Claire Dedden (1:14.56) claimed the women's title in a tight finish from Warringah's Charli Lehmann (1:15.00) and Zara Campbell (1:15.41), also a Newcastle Triathlon Club competitor. Last year's runner-up Meg Isbester (Newcastle Triathlon Club) finished fifth with a time of 1:16.15.
The long-running event consisted of the main men's and women's race, starting at 7am. There was also an enticer race of a 350m swim, 10km cycle and 2.5km run as well as a range of junior races.
Event director Paul Humphreys said the weather conditions were perfect for the event.
"It was just like glass out there [on the water]. The cycling worked well with the way we designed it - we had a lot more waves this year - it was spread a bit further apart so that it wasn't too crowded on the bike course."
He said it was great to see people, especially the juniors which have doubled in numbers this year, getting outside and having a go.
"It was a great morning. It was a beautiful run out on the breakwall and just such a great atmosphere," he said.
He also thanked the community for their support and understanding with road closures in place for six hours.
"Everyone was happy, it was another good event," he said.
