Simons, Hobson lead Bathurst contingent at Huskisson Triathlon Festival

Simons beat home fellow Bathurst contender Lucy Hobson to win the women's 20-24 years title in a time of five hours, 27 minutes and 14 seconds.

The time was good enough to earn Simons a place in the top 20 women's overall finishers.

"That was my first attempt anywhere near that sort of distance. It was definitely a shock to the system," she said.

"I was hoping to come out with a good result but I didn't know what to expect. There's a lot of stuff that can go wrong because it's such a long race. I also didn't know how I was going to back up after a 90km ride and do a 21km run.

"I hadn't run that distance in training so I didn't know how I'd feel.

"Once I got past that 15km mark I was able to think about the finish, I picked up my pace and I was starting to feel a bit more positive. Connecting that middle bit of the run will be my focus for the next few weeks."

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Simons and Hobson emerged from the water virtually together before the former used her experience on two wheels to power ahead.

Unsurprisingly, Simons was around the top five female riders at each of the 90km bike leg's three time checks.

Hobson came home in 5:46:56.

The other Bathurst Wallabies Triathlon Club competitor to win their age group was Richard Hobson, the fastest overall of the city's representatives.

Hobson took out the men's 50-54 years category ahead of 26 other finishers in his division.

He too made his middle leg count, recording an average time of almost 41km/h on the bike.

Hobson (4:37:35) was 29^th overall, one place ahead of clubmate Josh Stapley (4:41:21). 

Thomas Hanrahan finished inside the top 10 of the 30-35 years division thanks to a time of 4:49:14.

Kathleen Stutsel just missed a top five position with her 6:18:40 in the 50-54 years female category.