With the backing of Elite Energy, the triathlon is attracting significant interest from outside of Forbes. 

But the two-day triathlon festival still has a range of events to suit everyone and organiser Nick Turner wants to make sure participants get online and sign up before the day.

The triathlon is on April 1 and 2 – and organisers are hoping the change of date presents perfect conditions for the event.  

All events and registration are online at www.eliteenergy.com.au/event/forbes-triathlon-festival/

Saturday starts with 5km and 10km fun runs; 1km and 2km “loop the lake” swims; and the miniman events with 7-9 years and 10-11 years categories. 

There’s the Enticer event (200m swim, 8km bike ride, 2km run) or the Enforcer (400m swim; 15km bike ride and 4km run).

The swims are an out-and-back course in Lake Forbes, the bike leg is out and back along the super-flat Bedgerabong Road. The run is on the Lake bike path. 

The next step up is the sprint event with a 750m swim; 20km bike ride and 5km run. 

There’s two main events on Sunday. The Standard involves a 1500m swim; 40km bike leg and 10km run.

The Ultimate has a 1.9km swim in the Lake Forbes Aquatic Centre followed by a 90km bike leg on a flat course that should see personal best times. It finishes with a 21.1km run around Lake Forbes and the racecourse, then back to the aquatic centre for the foreshore finish.

The Forbes triathlon was started two years ago by Forbes enthusiasts Nick Turner and Nick Field. 

Its success – and Forbes’ fast, flat track – attracted the interest of triathlon events company Elite Energy, who will manage the event this year.

“Having Elite Energy involved adds their polish and professionalism to the event,” Turner said. 

“We’re attracting a lot of people from the coast and Sydney. It’s another great event for Forbes and showcases our aquatic centre.” 

Across the full range of events, Turner hopes locals will get involved and try triathlon. You can also enter as a team so you can partner with a couple of others and each focus on your preferred discipline. 

“In the kids events, the parents can help,” he said. “We’re keen for everybody to get involved.”