Participants in the fourth annual Girls Only Triathlon at Forster Keys on Sunday, January 19 didn't let a few drops of rain hold them back.
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The event attracted a capacity field of 100 girls and women aged 14 all the way up to 70, with seven teams taking part and women travelling from Sydney, Maitland, Port Macquarie and Cowra to join the strong local contingent.
Forster Tri Club's Bruce Hopper said every participant walked away feeling a sense of accomplishment.
"It went really well," he said.
"The vast majority had never done it before in their life."
Experienced triathlete and Australian representative, Kaitlin Bell, made her way up from Penrith and crossed the line first - although the event's focus was much more on participating than winning.
"It really is about encouraging people who have never done anything like it in their lives," Mr Hopper said.
"Being an all-women's thing, there's a really good sense of camaraderie."
Miss Bell echoed Mr Hopper's sentiments in a post-race interview, congratulating her fellow participants on completing a great race before confirming she'd be returning to Forster in May for the 2020 Triathlon NSW Club Championships.
Mr Hopper said apart from showcasing the local area as a great triathlon location, the event also helped to showcase women as active role models to their children.
"It's good for the kids to see their mums being active," he said.
"A number of mums crossed the lines with their kids."
And with the success of this year's sell-out event behind them, Mr Hopper said Forster Tri Club had every intention of running it again in 2021.
"We're rolling it again the weekend before the long weekend in January," he confirmed.
He encouraged anyone interested in getting into triathlon to come along to one of Forster Tri Club's race days, which take place on the second Sunday of every month.
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