Their trainer, Terri Gadsden-Brown, said it was the first time many of the ladies had been on a bike, or in a swimming pool, in a long time.

Like many of the group members, Jan Eaton was initially reluctant to get involved. 

The 63-year-old’s motivation stemmed from the cause Triathlon Pink supports. 

The event has raised more than $1.76 million for breast cancer research, support and care in its 10-year history.

The National Breast Cancer Foundation is the charity of choice in 2017.

It aims to achieve a goal of zero deaths from breast cancer by 2030.

Eight women die from breast cancer every day in Australia.

Terri said the group’s involvement in the triathlon was a mark of the respect, admiration and hope it has for members affected by breast cancer. 

Jane Fong, 48, was diagnosed in 2015.

Chemotherapy and a mastectomy followed. 

She said exercise and being part of the training group had helped her feel better.

“This is an amazing bunch of ladies,” Jane said. 

Their energy and enthusiasm has helped keep her positive, and she has been grateful for their friendship.

Members had called in to check on her while she was in treatment and unable to exercise.

Jane said she was feeling nervous about the triathlon as the big day approached.

“I don’t know what I’m getting myself into,” she said with a laugh.

The group, which calls itself Finely-Tuned Athletes, has been training for Sunday’s event at Albert Park for the past 10 weeks. 

They’ll be competing in the medium length race, which involves a 200 metre swim, a 6 kilometre bike ride and a 2 kilometre run. 

Jan said she hadn’t ridden a bike since primary school, prior to training for the event.

These days, she and friend Lorraine Cummins said they were enjoying going for a swim, or a bike ride.

While the group doesn’t expect to set any records, “just to finish will be fine.”

“It has been absolutely inspiring to see the camaraderie within our small, determined group and the enthusiasm shown,” Terri said. 

“The level of support for one another has been tremendous.

“I believe this not only highlights the power of working towards a common cause, but it is also showing other people in our community that you are never too old to improve your health and fitness, also improving your chances of warding off illness in the future.”