Peter Hodgson will chalk up his 20th Maitland Triathlon on Sunday ... not bad when you consider the race is only 21 years old.
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The irony of it is that he was there, ready to race on the 21st occasion too.
"There was a shortage of marshals at the start of the race, so I end up not racing but helping out there," he said. "I've still got my race singlet from the first event back in 1994."
As a Maitland boy Hodgson feels it is his duty to support his local race, although it should be pointed out that he has also chalked up 20 Port Macquarie Ironman events - and this year he competed in his first Hawaiian Ironman event. "An amazing experience.".
Despite being about to turn 45 he is showing little sign of slowing down.
The Maitland Triathlon has attracted 200 starters to date, although organiser Paul Humphreys is hopeful he will finish with a field of about 250 competitors across the three race distances.
The Sprint Distance event is made up of a 750 metre swim, 20km ride and 5km run.
The Olympic Distance event is a 1.5km swim, 40km ride and a 10km run.
And the Mid Distance features a 2km swim, 60km ride and a 15km run.
For Hodgson, it's all about competing against yourself and the course.
"When you train hard and race well ... it's a phenomenal feeling achieving your goals," he said.
When you train hard and race well ... it's a phenomenal feeling
- Triathlete Paul Hodgson
In the lead up to the event Hodgson has been training for about 14 hours a week across the three disciplines, including weekly swims in the Hunter River from Morpeth boat ramp.
The Morpeth race is renowned as one of the most scenic of all. After the river swim competitors take on the cycle leg around Duckenfield and Morpeth farms before tackling the run leg.
Racing starts on Sunday at 6.45am with Quarry Mining the major sponsor.