On Sunday, she would have joined elite athletes from around the world at the swim start line for the 35^th Ironman Australia Triathlon in Port Macquarie. The event has been postponed until September 13.

Instead, Port Macquarie will not be heaving with some of the fittest athletes on the planet, nor will there be thousands of spectators lining the streets watching the sheer grit of human determination bring every last runner across the line into the wee hours of Monday morning.

Volunteers will need to hang their hats up for a few more months while aspiring future triathletes, the hundreds of youngsters who give a portion of the race course a crack, will have a little more time to keep training.

We might not have one of the best sporting events on our doorstep this weekend, but come September and all going well, it will be one hell of an event to start the party again in Port Macquarie-Hastings.

"Having raced, and won, Ironman Australia for the past three years, 2017, 2018 and 2019, I was like so many people who were looking forward to being part of the 35 year celebrations this weekend," Siddall told the Port News.

"Of course a few things have happened in the world, which now makes that not possible, but I wanted still to reach out to the people and community of Port Macquarie to say hello and thanks for the wonderful memories of the past three years. I can't wait to get back to race again and celebrate with everyone."

In 2019, Siddall registered her third-straight event success with a five-and-a-half minute victory over a gallant Caroline Steffen of Port Macquarie. After the race, she remained non-committal about whether she would return for a four-peat this year.

Cameron Wurf, the boy from Port Macquarie, broke his hometown course record to take out Ironman 2019. Tim Reed finished in a record-breaking second with Denis Chevrot third.

Read more:

"Port Macquarie obviously has a special place in my heart, but it's more than just the racing and the wins," she said.

"The local community embraces the event, and as soon as you arrive you can feel the buzz and energy from all the businesses and local residents.

"I've been fortunate to stay with the same fabulous homestay, Rob and Jan Harris, every year, and I will very much miss my visit to see them and spend time with them this year.

"They have been truly wonderful to me and go a huge way in making me feel so welcome each year. I also love being able to attend the volunteers party on the Monday night, and get to say my personal thanks to all the hundreds of wonderful volunteers who give so much time leading into the race and on race day, to help make the day the best event if can be and such a fabulous experience.

"I have made so many friends over the years from coming to Port Macquarie, and I will miss not being able to catch up and give a few hugs to them all. It's the power of the community through our sport that I think we all miss, and the power of the community in Port Macquarie."

Siddall said she is aware of the challenges the town and broader region will be faced with from as a result of the COVID-19 health crisis and off the back of devastating bushfires hich burned millions of hectares across the state, destroyed homes and took lives.

"I wanted to try and return the support that I have been shown, and to say you have all been very much in my thoughts over the past few years," Siddall said.

"I know that Port Macquarie and Ironman Australia will bounce back and we will all be able to race again soon.

"The celebration will continue whenever the new race is, be it in September 2020, or even if it's May 2021.

"The community I know is strong and will ensure that the race is bigger and better than ever when we are all able to come back to race, and life and businesses can start to operate as normal again.

"I will be thinking of you all, and your amazing support, this coming weekend and will be thinking of all the amazing memories and experiences I've had over the years in Port Macquarie."

The decision was made on March 17 by Ironman Australia to postpone the premier triathlon event and the 70.3 race scheduled to be held in Port Macquarie on May 3.

The 70.3 race was a sell-out for the fourth straight year while the full event was close to setting a participation record.

The three-day triathlon festival in Port Macquarie also includes a Bright Night community fundraising fun run and IronKids mini triathlon supported by hundreds of volunteers.

What else is making news?

While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox from the Port Macquarie News. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, sign up here. If you would like to support our journalists you can subscribe here.