PLENTY of new competitors turned out for the Port Macquarie Triathlon Club’s women-only race on Sunday, in an event where participation was the winner.
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Young star Laura Cook took out the race, but it didn’t seem to matter for the club, as the day was about trying out a new sport.
Out of 33 competitors, about a third were newcomers to the sport.
They coped well with the course, club president Andrew Lister said.
“They all got though it okay,” he said.
“It was just a bit of fun today.”
Perfect weather greeted the girls and ladies who took part in the race.
Lister said the regular members helped out around the course, and the race was run in the right spirit.
“The spirit that everyone raced in today was terrific,” he said.
“It’s a fun event, but a first-ever race can be a little daunting for some.
“So it was fantastic to see quite a few regulars, and some of the blokes, taking a day off from racing to accompany some of the newcomers around the course.
“Bec and Helen from the local Lorna Jane store were on hand to cheer everyone across the line and hand out water and goody bags after the race.”
Every participant was given a Good Guys gift voucher, and Rhiannon Meath won a coffee machine.
Many of the competitors stayed around after the race to learn some invaluable training tips from world champion Mel Cockshutt and rising star Sam Lewis.
Club coaches Mike Reid and Russell Kilpatrick included the race and post-race session as part of a weekend-long training clini in which more than 40 people learnt something new about triathlon.