The seed was planted, a partnership formed and on Sunday the competition phase begins with the first race of the Maitland Triathlon Club season at Maitland Park.

Lynda-Jane Shafer will participate in her first triathlon, alongside friend and training partner Jane Maher, after she was issued a challenge over a family dinner.

The dinner was held shortly after the 24-year old had watched older brother Craig complete the Ironman Australia Triathlon at Port Macquarie in April in under 10 hours.

“We were over for dinner one night and my partner (Lee Harkness) made the comment that I would never do a triathlon,” Shafer said.

“So the bet was, he had to buy me a bike and I had to do two triathlons by December 31 otherwise he got double his money back to spend on fishing gear,” Shafer said.

Since that day Shafer has implemented her triathlon ideal with decisive action and even recruited Maher as motivation

for training.

The pair used to swim together at Beresfield, under the guidance of Shafer’s mother and swimming coach Lyn, and have reunited for the three-leg event.

Both admitted to being slightly nervous ahead of the race but confident their training would keep them in good stead.

Maher, 26, has also completed various fun runs before, including three cracks at the City to Surf, and is also an aerobics instructor.

“Hopefully my fitness goes well,” Maher said.

They will compete in the senior distance – 450m swim, 18km bike and 4km run.