Stevens had started training with a friend to lose weight, then he completed the Hexman Triathlon in Shepparton in October 2008 and since then he has never looked back.

It was 18 months on from his triathlon debut that Stevens conquered the Australian Ironman in Port Macquarie and this Sunday at Maitland Park he will be part of Maitland Traithlon Club’s second round of the 2010-2011 season.

“Once I was done I was addicted,” Stevens said.

This weekend could also be a transformation of kind for another group of athletes attempting their maiden three-discipline race.

Up to 30 people from the Maitland PCYC’s Lifechanger program will participate in the race.

“They are an inspiration,” one of the club’s leading triathletes Craig Shafer said.

“Participants in this program will attempt to complete their first triathlon and the club can’t wait to host them.”