(Coffs Harbour, 5^th March 2017), A record number of 930 competitors and 3,000 spectators turned out for the bcu Coffs Tri held at Coffs Harbour’s Jetty foreshores this weekend.

The event was an Age Group ITU World Championship Qualifying Race as well as the NSW State Championship race to determine the best triathletes in NSW.

Saturday’s races saw 280 children aged 6-14 take part in the aquathons and ttriathlons with smiles all round and cheers from proud mums and dads as the kids made their way down the finish chute.

Today’s events kicked off with the Enticer Triathlon that saw 140 starters, including many first-time triathletes, cross the finish line to loud cheers from supporters.

The headline Standard Distance event for individuals and teams saw over 500 competitors toe the start line for the 1.5km swim, 40km cycle and 10km run.

The winner, in record time was Olympian, Ryan Fisher who crossed the finish line in one hour, 47 minutes and 40 seconds. His nearest rivals, Lindsey Wall and Daniel Stein were almost five minutes behind.

Fisher led the race from the outset and was very impressed with the course. The 25 year-old from Brisbane said, "I've only ever been to Coffs for lunch, and I'd never really seen any of it before so it's a pretty spectacular way to see the area." 

The top three female finishers looked like they were locked in at the end of the bike leg, until Yamba’s Celia Sullohern started running. She was in fourth position after the bike, giving her competitors a solid lead, but finished the 10km run in a blistering 34 minutes, recording the second fastest run split of the day. It was a very close finish with Sullohern overtaking Madi Roberts and Holly Khan in the finish chute with only a few hundred metres to go.

Graham Thomas Pill from the NSW town of Kendall proved age is no barrier. At age 76 he was the oldest competitor in the event and crossed the finish line in a time of 3 hours, 21 minutes, ahead of competitors half his age.

Triathlon NSW CEO Phil Dally said the Coffs Harbour Triathlon had the potential to be a world–class event and was impressed by the local community involvement.

Destination NSW announced the Coffs Tri event this week as a 2017 Regional Flagship Event.

For race results visit www.villagesports.com.au