The triathlon was unable to be staged last year because of January’s devastating floods and the town is still rebuilding.

But the ninth annual triathlon will go ahead this weekend and organisers are aiming for 200 competitors to get involved – the same number as in 2010.

“Now it’s about getting people back to town,” event co-ordinator Claire Harrison said.

“Last year everything was underwater, where we had the presentations at the pub and where we used the motels’ ground – that was completely underwater.”

Local businesses have joined forces with the Loddon Shire Council to support the triathlon, and the Marong SES has pledged a number of volunteers.

“We didn’t get any support in town from emergency services (during the floods),” Harrison said.

“So they’re helping out massively, we couldn’t hold it without them.”

There are three different divisions competitors can enter at the triathlon – long, short or fun course.

The long course includes a 500m swim, 20km ride and 5km run, while the short course is 230m, 10km and 3km.

The fun course is a 50m swim, 3km ride, 1km run.

Harrison said the event was for people who wanted to enjoy themselves and give triathlon a go, regardless of whether they had an old mountain bike or a brand new racing bike.

A $1000 prize is available to the sporting club with the most entrants in the event – last won by the Boort Hockey Club.