The first event of the new Dubbo Hippos Triathlon Club season was a huge success, and races are expected to only get bigger and better as the summer goes on.
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The first Tri-Stars junior event was run on Sunday and there was a strong number in the three divisions while a promising group of senior triathletes took part in an aquathon.
As always, there was a strong family feel around the event.
Ben Orford, Hippos club secretary, showcased that as he won the aquathon while his daughter Lily finished third in the junior short course event and his nine-year-old nephew Andy Cullenward was an impressive winner in the junior long course.
"It was a bit of family domination," Orford laughed.
"It was good to be back doing stuff in real life again. I think the kids really enjoyed being able to run around again and hang out with friends."
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The chance to get back into competition after a COVID lockdown was welcomed, but Sunday also showed the growth of the Dubbo Hippos.
The depth of the club has improved for this season with more junior and senior triathletes coming on board.
A major addition this season is Dean Sherratt. Sherratt was born in the region and has returned from time in Sydney, where he was previously part of the Western Sydney Academy of Sport triathlon program.
The addition of people like Sherratt will boost numbers for local races as well as the Central West Inter-Club Series, with a double-digit amount of Dubbo competitors expected to contest the first round at Mudgee this season for the first time in a number of years.
To have that many numbers and still have restrictions, by the end of summer it will be massive.
- Ben Orford
Sherratt wasn't able to attend Sunday's popular event, which was run around Victoria Park and the Dubbo Aquatic Leisure Centre, and conducted in line with all COVID guidelines through the work of the Hippos and council.
"It's growing organically, mainly through word of mouth," Orford said of Tri-Stars.
"People are coming along and trying it, enjoying it, and then saying they'll come back and bring their friends next time.
"To come out of COVID and have those numbers, that's pretty good. And the next event will probably be even more.
"A lot of people might not have been aware it was on, or still wary of COVID, or aren't vaxxed. To have that many numbers and still have restrictions, by the end of summer it will be massive."
Orford won the aquathon in a time of 10 minutes and 58 seconds while Bryce Foley and Adam Romanowski filled the minor places.
In the Tri-Stars junior events, Hudson McConnell won the short course, Owen Jones won the medium course and nine-year-old Cullenward caught the eye when winning the under 12s long course.
"He's just a talented kid. Give him a few years ... he's the next one coming through," Orford said of his nephew.
There are three more Tri-Stars events this season while the next club event is the Michael Martin Charity Teams Day on November 7.
The first Inter-Club event is at Mudgee on November 21.
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Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
