The twin-towns became a Mecca during the two day Forster Triathlon and Multisport Festival that drew around 1000 spectators for the event’s second year.

Although numbers were down slightly on last year, organisers were happy with the turnout and are confident the event will continue to grow.

“Competitors were giving rave reports and thought everything was very well organised,” media director Bob Findlay said.

“The weather was fantastic. We couldn’t have hoped for anything better.”

Sweltering conditions on Sunday tested the gumption of some of the state’s best triathletes competing in the long course, with just one major collapse requiring ambulance assistance.

Thriving under the conditions was Dave Mathews of Queens Park who pushed himself to the brink finishing the 2km swim, 60km cycle and 15km run in 2hrs 59mins and 49sec, just 13 seconds in front of Port Macquarie’s Mitch Robbins.

It was a great result for Mathews, who was a first timer to the long course event, Mr Findlay said.

“He’s a real up and comer, and is going to be big in the future.”

Not far behind was Chris Dmitrieff from Shelley Beach on 3hrs 01min 23sec and female winner Carrie Lester of Buddina on 3hrs 36mins and 47sec.

Kicking off the weekend on Friday afternoon was a new addition to the festival program – the 1km ocean swim.

Between 50 and 60 competitors joined for the event, which Mr Findlay said attracts competitors to the area before the busy Saturday morning and is an opportunity for locals, who may not be competent in the three disciplines, to have a go.

The following morning several locals, including Aaron Woolley, joined for the sprint marathon, a 750m swim, 20km cycle and 5km run. Woolley placed first in the 20-24 age division just a couple of minutes behind the overall fastest time of 59mins and 16sec.

For the kids there were two miniman triathlons and an enticer, won by Jackson Ludlow, for athletes just getting into the sport. Wrapping up the day was the 5km YMCA charity fun run, which Nick Hurlston completed in 16mins and 14sec.

The events ran like clockwork, according to Mr Findlay, who said Forster’s new title as the ‘spiritual home of triathlons’, dubbed by one event announcer, has stuck.

“It’s a great venue, and just a beautiful place with heaps of accommodation – which is a problem in a lot of other towns hosting these types of events, so Forster is ideal.”

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