And make it up he did.

Gibson showed why he is one of the strongest competitive runners in the Central West as he flew through the 2.5 kilometre run leg in a time of nine minutes, 27 seconds.

While he produced that effort when feeling fatigued, Gibson was still 2:29 quicker than any of his rivals.

It saw him finish the course, which also included a 300 metres swim and 16.5km cycle leg, in a time of 43.42.

Second belonged to talented junior Mitch Nelson (45.29), while Geoff Short (46.30) claimed third place.

“I just ran as hard as I could, I didn’t have much. I just struggled after the swim, I was absolutely cactus,” Gibson said.

“I haven’t done one [triathlon] since last year, well January. I probably should train a bit more, that might be an idea, because it hurt the whole way.

“But it was good fun.”

As has been the case in each of the Bathurst club races this season, it was Nelson who was the quickest in the pool.

He clocked a 4.06 split to lead the way into the cycle leg, with another junior in Will Kelly the  next to follow as he was the only other competitor to go sub-five minutes for the swim.

However, as they headed out on the road it was time trial specialist Short who took over at the head of the field.

Short had been sixth after the swim, conceding almost two minutes to Nelson, but his experience on the bike saw him make up that deficit.

He was first to set off on the run, followed by Nelson and Gibson.

But in the final kilometres Gibson powered to the lead, while Nelson also managed to overtake Short to nab second.

In the women’s short course battle it was Stacey Fish who took the honours as she stopped the clock in 45.30.

While junior Caitlin Lovett took the lead in the opening swim leg, Fish’s strength on the bike soon saw her in the lead.

Second belonged to Danielle Patterson (49.47) with Caroline Robertson (51.28) third.