Redmond will give fans a taste of things to come at next Sunday’s Maitland Triathlon when the junior star competes over an Olympic course distance for the first time.

Maitland Triathlon organiser Paul Humphreys said Redmond’s graduation to the Olympic distance of a 1500m swim, a 40km cycle and a 10km run is one of the tantalising prospects as the event returns to Morpeth on November to end a five-year hiatus.

“Lorcan is the next big thing in triathlon. We have been blessed to have athletes of the quality of Brendan Sexton and Aaron Royal blaze the way and Lorcan is matching and bettering their feats at the same age,” Humphreys said.

The 17-year-old Novocastrian has just recently raced in Germany, coming 22^nd in a world cup junior race.

Just two weeks ago he came second in the Fernley 15 in a time of 48:35 just, behind Central Coast-based runner Jack Colreavy (48:22), who debuted for Australia in the marathon at this year’s World Championships in London.

“It’s exciting for us that Lorcan is running his first triathlon over the Olympic distance at the Marathon Triathlon,” Humphreys said.

“He has only recently become old enough to take part over the longer distance as there is an age restriction.”

More than 250 competitors have signed up for the Maitland Triathlon and a further 300 are taking part in the Morpeth leg of the three-race Summer Run series.

Morpeth kicks off the series of 10km runs with the next two runs at Carrington and Nelson Bay.

“The race starts at 8am in between the swim and cycle legs of the triathlon. It will make for a great atmosphere with people lining the swim exit before heading off on their 10km run. They will come back and support the triathletes finishing their run,” Humphreys said. 

“Morpeth is going to be a hive of activity with about 500 to 600 athletes milling about with what we’re hoping will be a bumper crowd.”

Humphreys said the first Maitland Triathlon was held back in 1994 and it was great to have it back on the H Events calendar.

“It’s where sports events all began for us in 1994 and as locals we really love the town and community of Morpeth,” Humphreys said.

Humphreys said the Summer Run was an exciting new development and the locations had been deliberately chosen to highlight three of the Hunter’s most picturesque spots.

“The events will be mostly flat and fast, 10km courses staged over the summer of 2017/2018,” he said. “The events will be held early to beat the heat and will feature individual and series prizes and a great atmosphere.”