The prospect of swimming, cycling and running all in the same event is not everyone’s idea of an enjoyable Sunday morning, but those who competed in the Warren Triathlon last weekend appeared to be having the time of their lives.

Close to 80 athletes gathered at the Warren pool for the competition, an event that has been held every year since 2009, bar one (Covid), and attracts competitors from across the state.

First and foremost a community day, the Warren Triathlon was started initially to introduce local children to the sport.

“A few families used to travel to Gular for their annual triathlon and then when they stopped doing it due to insurance issues, we thought we’d see if we could run one in Warren,” said founding committee member, Jeremy Weston. 

“We had a lot of help to set it up from the Far West Academy of Sport Development Officer at the time and since then we’ve basically cloned that same event each year.”

Mini, short and long courses can be entered either as an individual or part of a team; mini – 900m swim, 2km cycle, 900m run, short course - 200m swim, 14km cycle, 1.8km run, long course - 400m swim, 21km cycle and 4.5km run.

“These options provide something for every level of experience and fitness, with the swim leg taking place in the pool, the cycle leg involving a seven kilometre loop, and the run leg an up and back course along a street adjacent to the pool. This year our youngest competitor was eight and the oldest was in their 70s so we definitely cater to all ages,” Mr Weston said.

“Over the years we have trialled various systems. One year we had buoys in the pool instead of lane-ropes for competitors to swim around but it was a bit chaotic as people kept cutting corners or forgetting how many laps they’d done!”

Another year the club tried using electronic tags to help with timing but some ended up falling off and others didn’t register correctly, so the current practice is ‘old school’, with three timekeepers using stop watches to record results.

This year there was a new category introduced to the program - adult mini - as an entry-level event for adults who wanted to trial the sport as an individual, but with shorter distances. “This is something we’d like to develop, as so many people tell us they’d like to give it a go but are a bit intimidated by doing the whole event.”

Winners of the long course individual event, Louise Wells (Condobolin) and Simon Heppell (Dubbo).

Since 2009 athlete numbers have fluctuated, with some years bolstered by entrants from Mudgee and Dubbo Triathlon Clubs and others affected negatively by alternative commitments, but the character and community spirit is always welcoming and supportive. 

Sunday's winner of the adult mini category, Jon Lowbridge said he’d definitely be back. “I have entered in a team before but wanted to try doing the whole course by myself. It was so much fun competing alongside some of my students, I knew they were out to beat me!” said Mr Lowbridge, who teaches at St Mary’s Catholic School in Warren.

Warren Triathlon 2023 results:

Mini boys – 1st Paddy Bruce, 2nd Fred Ceeney, 3rd Ollie Whiteley, Mini girls – 1st Winnie O’Brien, 2nd Claire Bruce, 3rd Edith O’Brien. Short course team – 1st Max Whiteley, Fred Ceeney, George Welsh, 2nd Dorothy Stanley, Patrick Stanley, Lachie Watt, 3rd Ollie Whiteley, Gus McRae, Sam McKay. Short course individual female – 1st Alison Ruskin Rowe, 2nd Ali Radford, 3rd Sophie O’Brien. Short course individual male – Rod Clarke. Long course team – 1st Ben O’Brien, Gus O’Brien, Sal Ceeney, 2nd Wes Hamilton, Brad McRae, Rit McKay, 3rd Will Archer, Dan Rigney, Cait Fahey. Long course individual female – 1st Louise Wells. Long course individual male – 1st Simon Heppell, 2nd Sam Abel, 3rd John Ashleigh.

Speaking after the presentation ceremony on Sunday, Warren Mayor Milton Quigley praised the committee, sponsors and volunteers.

“The Warren Triathlon really is a fantastic day. This year we attracted competitors from throughout the central and far west, and some even came out from Sydney; it’s a credit to all those involved in putting it on,” Mr Quigley said.

“I’d also like to acknowledge Warren Shire Council, which supports the committee with course set-up and supervision, pool maintenance and administration. That really is a huge help and shows the Council's encouragement of this sort of community event.”

The Warren Triathlon is held on the last weekend in March each year.