Bathurst triathlete Terry Roberts is set to strut his stuff on the world stage when he competes in a race which is regarded as the pinnacle of his chosen sport next week.

After months of tough training through a cold Bathurst winter, Roberts will contest the World Ironman Championships in Hawaii on October 12 (Australian time).

However, it won’t be easy as heatwave and windy conditions on the island that is known as Kona gives this race the status as the toughest single-day endurance event on the globe. 

Roberts, 52, will be racing under the banner of the Bathurst-based King Cain Wallabies Triathlon Club and is looking forward to his fifth outing at Kona. He qualified with a gritty performance at the Ironman Australia event at Port Macquarie in May.

“Kona is arguably the best triathlon event in the world,” he said. 

“There’s nothing like being a part of the Hawaii Ironman World Championship. It gathers the best athletes from most countries on the planet, so you know you are in good company.”

Competitors racing in the Ironman distance event have to complete a 3.8 kilometre ocean swim, followed by a 180km bike leg before finishing the day with a full 42.2km marathon run.

The last time Roberts raced in the world championship was 2013 and he still thinks he can go faster despite a personal best on that occasion – a 10 hours, 44 minutes 24 seconds effort.

“In 2013 and after so many Ironman races, I still failed to consume sufficient fluids and carbs during the race, resulting in some distress late in the marathon and post-race,” he said. 

“I managed to achieve a personal best for the course, albeit in much friendlier conditions than other attempts.

“On this occasion I have adopted a more relaxed approach leading into this year’s race, focussing on consistent preparations.”

Roberts said there really is no substitute for hard work and consistency.

“I don’t want to over think the race and plan to enjoy the lead up as much as possible,” he said. 

“This type of race will always throw up plenty of challenges and you can’t predict what they will be or when they will come.

“You just need to be mentally strong enough to get through them, especially after training in sub zero temperatures all winter then racing in 35-40 degree oven like conditions 10 days later.

“I am aiming for a personal best as usual and the satisfaction of having a good, solid race. I am in good shape for an old guy, so no excuses.”

Roberts will be accompanied to Hawaii by his wife Anna and teenage daughters Alex and Zoe, and is excited at the prospect of spending time with them both before and after the race.

“Ironman preparation means early nights, fatigue and sometimes irritability,” he said. 

“My wife and girls endure this throughout the year, so a tropical holiday with them is a nice way to finish off.”

Roberts said that year after year he is encouraged and supported by many friends and business people, including King Cain Solicitors, Gary Webster and the staff at Cityfit, Greg and his team at Belly’s Bikes plus Liz Gilchrist of Health and Harmony.