Barwon Heads Triathlon expecting big numbers

HUNDREDS of people will take off at Ozone Jetty at the beginning of the fifth annual Barwon Heads Triathlon on Sunday, February 16.

The triathlon starts with a 400-metre swim down the Barwon River to the Barwon Heads Hotel.

There competitors will transition onto bikes, where they will ride up and back the picturesque Thirteenth Beach Road. This leg of the race amounts to 14 kilometres in total and also finishes at Barwon Heads Hotel.

The race then concludes with a four-kilometre run. This leg takes competitors over the Barwon Heads footbridge and along Barwon Head-Ocean Grove Road, before they turn and head back to the Barwon Heads Hotel.

Race director Lincoln Beckworth said the race’s length and accessibility opened it up to people of a wide range of abilities.

“I think we will have about 300 first-timers this year. It just keeps on bringing new people to the sport, which is really cool.

“We get a real range of athletes. We get a lot of first timers, we get people who just like doing a few social events and triathlons locally, and then we get quite a few top triathletes who normally race in the Victorian Series.”

The race also gives a portion of its funds to Cottage by the Sea, a charity that provides children in need and their family with a fun and relaxing holiday environment.

The charity will also be running a barbecue at the triathlon and accepting donations.

At the end of the race, drinks and fruit will be provided as competitors rest their weary legs.

Last year Kirby Bourke was the first of nearly 800 competitors to cross the line. He completed in the race in 42 minutes and 30 seconds.

Sarah Alexander won the female category with a time of 45 minutes and 52 seconds. She was the fastest in her category in each of the three legs.

Late entries are open for those who are yet to register. They can do so by turning up to the race kit collections, which run on Saturday from 4.30-7pm and on Sunday morning from 6.30-8am.

People can enter as individuals, or teams of 2-3, where different team members take on separate legs of the race.

The race will begin at 8.20am.