If early signs are anything to go by, Dubbo Triathlon Club is in for an almighty 2019/20 season.
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The club held its biggest Michael Martin Charity Teams Day in five years on Sunday, more than 60 people taking part in the annual event.
The event points to positive times ahead, while it was also a meaningful day at the Ollie Robbins Oval as hundreds of dollars was raised for Cancer Council NSW.
The event, as always, saw teams or two or three people share the legs of a triathlon and attempt to finish as close to their nominated finish time as possible.
The team of Dave Gerrish, Sarah Gordon, and Tim Morris proved they knew their abilities better than the rest as they finished just 13 seconds outside their nominated time and claimed overall victory.
Gerrish, Gordon, and Morris completed the course in one hour, four minutes and 13 seconds.
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That was the fifth fastest time overall on the day.
"I think there might have been a bit more luck than anything," Dubbo Triathlon Club secretary Ben Orford said of the winners.
"But they had that bit of experience from Dave Gerrish and he knows what he's capable of and the others and then you add a little and that's what happened."
Gerrish completed the 500m swim in 13 minutes and 26 seconds before Gordon cycled the 18km in 33 minutes and 46.8 seconds while Morris completed the 4km run in 17 minutes and 0.2 seconds.
The team of Kate Brien, Chris Schiller, and Raisa Kolesnikova was second, finishing 43 seconds of their estimates time.
The fastest team on the day was that of Sarah Bell, Nina Dowling and Andrew Regan.
Much of that was because Regan completed the day's fastest run, finishing that leg in 15 minutes and 18.8 seconds, but his team finished more than three minutes off its nominated time.
The times produced on the day were impressive but the participation rate was extra pleasing for Ordford and the club.
Our numbers are definitely up in terms of members from last year.
- Dubbo Triathlon Club's Ben Orford
Roughly a quarter of the field on Sunday has never contested a triathlon before and Orford said that, plus the encouragement and support shown for all competitors on the day, was a real highlight.
"So for them to do a leg was great ... maybe they'll come back and have a go at one of the shorter course events we have."
The boost in numbers on Sunday follows on from more than 10 new members signing on with the club for the 209/20 season.
"Our numbers are definitely up in terms of members from last year," Orford said.
"The Tri-Stars [junior competition] is also well-attended and we expect a strong showing at our Ladies' Day race and Family Fun Day, and the Interclub one as well.
"The only issue is we're struggling a little for volunteers, in planning and also on the day in roles like marshals.
"But we're definitely not struggling in people coming and having a go."
The first Interclub race of the season is at Mudgee on Sunday.