However, after putting his reservations aside to try the sport, the King Cain Bathurst Wallabies Triathlon Club president said it is not that bad.

This Sunday when the opening round of the club’s new season gets underway, he is encouraging others who have never previously contested a triathlon to come along.

“We had a lot of new people last season, as it unfolded we had more and more people come. We are hoping to continue that this year, we want people to get in and have a go and realise that triathlon is for everybody,” Kelly said.

“Come and do one leg, if you don’t want to swim come and do the bike ride, come and just have a watch. I know a lot of people get intimidated by it and it can look quite scary, but it’s actually alright, you have got to start somewhere.

“For an adult, and speaking from experience, it is a great place to start working towards a healthy lifestyle.

“Really a 16 kilometre ride around Eleven Mile Drive is not that hard and a two-and-a-half kay run in the short course is not that bad – you can run or walk. Anyone can do it, anyone can have a go.”

One person who has been tempted to have a go for the first time this Sunday is Alana Langford.

She will let the more experienced members of the club tackle the 500 metre swim, 16 kilometre cycle and 5km run that makes up the long course event.

Instead Langford will attempt the short course race – a 300m swim, 16km cycle and 2.5km run.

“I just figured that I would have a go, but it has taken me over a year-and-a-half to work up the courage to have a go,” she said.

“I have played hockey and I do Park Run on the weekend, but I thought I’d have a go at triathlon and see how I go.

“I think my worst leg will be the bike, I am hoping that I don’t fall off. I think it might look like it is intimidating, but the more new people that turn up and give it a go, the less intimidating it will be.”

Kelly said the spirit of encouragement at the club will help inspire those who have never previously raced.

He also joked that those who take longer to finish the race are the toughest.

As was the case last season, for 2016-17 the senior races will commence first at 8am. They are followed by the Boomers (juniors) at 9.45am and Joeys (minis) at 10.30am.

“I think both parents who have kids who compete or even if they don’t do it themselves, they enjoyed the sleep in, so we are keeping it that way,” Kelly said.

“I think those who want to do the senior race, it is an advantage to start right on eight o’clock in the morning, the consistency was something I think everybody is looking for.”

Kelly thanked major sponsor King Cain for signing a three-year deal as well as the Bathurst RSL Club and PhysX for supporting the club’s juniors.