Elite Energy puts Forbes on the map

Forbes hosted its first leg of the NSW Tri Series under the banner of Elite Energy on Saturday.

In recent years, Forbes Running and Tri Club has run a triathlon with about 100 registrations, the growth in interest in the sport gave the local club the opportunity to promote the fast, flat course to the masses.

And on the weekend, Elite Energy’s following of triathletes travelled to Forbes to test the new course.

“Registrations for the event were close to 300 across six races from the Kids Miniman all the way through to the long course known as the Ultimate,” Elite Energy’s Sebastian Gallery said.

Former event organiser, Nick Turner, said feedback from the competitors, locals and travellers, was extremely positive. 

“They thought it was a magical course,” he said. 

Bathurst’s Nick North took out honours in the men’s Ultimate Triathlon (1.9km swim, 90km bike, 21.1km run) with a time of 4.00.48.

North mentioned that he has raced a number of Elite Energy races and is grateful to now have one of their races in his own backyard.

In the Women’s Ultimate distance, Orange’s Jessica Richards took the win.

Richards commented that the course was deceptively tough. Winds increased in the afternoon and the flat topography of the bike leg meant that there was no rest on downhills as there is on other courses.

Elite Energy CEO, Mark Emerton, was thrilled to add Forbes to the event map.

“Being a country boy myself, I love bringing triathlon to the regional areas,” he said. “I first raced here in 1988 and the town is just as friendly as it was then, I have thoroughly enjoyed seeing the enthusiasm that the town has towards events and in particular triathlon.”

Elite Energy Volunteer manager Jody McClaren was impressed with the locals who put their hands up to help man drink stations, supervise athlete safety and help out in various other roles across the event.

“The Forbes triathlon festival is only made possible by the hard work of our fantastic volunteers,” she said.