Maitland club member Robert Wonders crossed the line first in the handicap event at Maitland Park after completing the 450m swim, 18km ride and 4km run.

Maitland Triathlon Club publicity officer Matt Hubbard said Wonders was a well known competitor who rarely sees success despite his best efforts.

“He never wins anything but he always enjoys himself and has a smile on his face,” Hubbard said.

“So it was great to see him win.”

The handicap event is run by averaging the best three times from each entrant and then ranking them from slowest to fastest.

Hubbard said those with the highest average led out first with the back markers waiting up to 35 minutes before beginning their race.

“It was a really good result to see someone win who usually doesn’t,” Hubbard said.

“That’s the beauty of the handicap system anyone can win it . . . you just have to have a good day and you can take it out.”

Hubbard said it was also promising to see two women across the finish line in the top 10 overall.

“Janice Davis finished first in the ladies and was fourth overall and Judith Tynan was second in the ladies and 10th overall,” Hubbard said.

As well as the popular handicap event there was an intermediate competition, which was half the distance of the handicap, and a junior division.

Hubbard told the Mercury the 10-year-anniversary was unique in that memorabilia, photographs and old uniforms were on show to entrants to help map out the history of the club.

“As well as the memorabilia this triathlon was different to the others because we had local identity Gary Harley call the race which was great and we had a barbecue and an anniversary cake,” Hubbard said.

“We had a really good turnout and were blessed with the weather and perfect conditions.”

Hubbard said at least half of the competitors were from the Maitland area and the club was attracting more and more foreign members from Nelson Bay, Newcastle and the Central Coast.