Not only are the professional athletes vying for a share of the $4,500 in prizemoney on offer, they are also taking part because it is one of most the sought-after races on the triathlon calendar.

Lindsey Wall from Yamba is a crowd favourite, having featured on the podium each year since he has competed in the bcu Coffs Tri. He won the event in 2015 and 2016 and finished second in 2014 and 2017. He is very familiar with the course and is in good form, winning the Trial Bay triathlon two weeks ago.

Other names to watch are 20-year old Jake Hynes from the Sunshine Coast and pro athlete Sam Betten from Brisbane who has been competing on the professional triathlon circuit for over 15 years. Sam is a top contender, with wins at the Kingscliff, Robina and Airlie Beach Triathlons over the same distance late last year.

Local athlete Isaiah Koopmans, 19, is expected to give the professional athletes a good run for their money. Koopmans was the fastest local over the course in 2018 and the winner of his age group. He is also the current course record holder over the Coffs Tri Club sprint distance.

Others returning to defend their age group wins from last year are Travis Shields, who was fourth overall in 2018 and winner of the 35-39 category. Graham Pill, the oldest competitor at 77 is returning to defend his win in the 75-79 category.

The female category sees pro athlete Courtney Gilfillan looking like the firm favourite. Courtney was second in the national championships in 2018 and the winner of the Yeppoon triathlon late last year. She has just been selected on the Australian elite team to compete in the ITU world championships in Spain in May.

Lucy Bowden, bcu’s brand ambassador, is fairly new to triathlons and in just four years has racked up some amazing results. Lucy is part of the High Performance Athlete Program at the University of the Sunshine Coast and she finished fifth in the Open category of the Noosa triathlon in November against a very experienced field.

Local triathlete Melanie Sylvester will be hot on their heels. She is the fastest female over the Coffs Tri Club course and was the fastest local female in the 2018 bcu Coffs Tri event.

Look for Coffs Harbour’s Anne Grundy in the 70-74 category. Anne recently returned from the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii where she finished third in her age group and shows no signs of slowing down.

Race Director Noel Phillips said, “Whether you’re vying for a podium finish or taking part in your first triathlon, the crowd will cheer you on and you’ll receive a finisher’s gift as you cross the line.”

The bcu Coffs TRI has events for ages 6 and over, all held at Coffs Harbour’s Jetty Foreshores on the weekend of March 2-3. Every competitor receives a goodie bag, finisher medal and will go in the draw for some fantastic random prizes including bikes, running shoes and more.

Registrations for the bcu Coffs TRI close on Wednesday February 27. To enter and for more information, visit villagesports.com.au