Photos of the running legs will be on the website shortly. Links will also appear on this page.  

It was a day of trinities as aspiring athletes lined up to swim, bike and run a junior triathlon through Bendigo today.  

Not only were the 1000 participants split into three ages group for the race, they were also cheered on by a triumvirate of Australian sporting champions who knew well what pushing their bodies to the limit meant. 

Two-time triathlon world champion Emma Carney urged on up-and-coming competitors at the Queen Elizabeth Oval finish line and said the event would encourage young people to lead a healthy life.

“Everyone could do with doing a little bit more exercise,” she said, explaining people needed about one hour of physical activity every day.

“It’s not about winning yet, it’s about finding a sport you really love and hopefully you have the love of sport and exercise for a lifetime.” 

Maya Murphy has two reasons to celebrate this week. Not only does the Bendigo girl turn eight tomorrow, she also took part in her very first triathlon.

The Camp Hill Primary School student was among those who swam, cycled and ran their way around the city’s sporting precinct yesterday. 

“It was really fun,” Maya said moments after receiving her medal of completion.

She nominated swimming as her favourite leg of the race.

“I don’t do lessons, but I really like the pool,” she said.

It was a different story when it came to the run, which capped off the three-discipline event.

“I reckon the running (was the hardest) because you’ve done all the other things and running hurts your legs.”

She planned on being back next year to give the event another shot.

Other participants included friends Ollie Clapp and Nash Blake, also eight. 

Despite saying it was his mum who insisted he take part, Nash enjoyed the event. 

“It took a couple of minutes to do it, but I liked it at the end,” he said.

Also congratulating race finishers was Rio Paralympian Kate Doughty. 

With her first event was just three years ago, she remembered well the importance of having family and friends cheering behind the barrier.

“Some of the most memorable things were the people I saw when I was running through, pushing through to the end,” Ms Doughty said. 

“It just gives you that extra bit of a support and extra bit of oomph to get to the finishing line.”

Both Ms Carney and Ms Doughty said a racer’s first triathlon could be confusing as they negotiated the transition from one third of the event to the next.    

The focus the Sanitarium-sponsored event is on completing, not competing. 

But Western Bulldogs premiership player Josh Dunkley, who was also handing out medals on Sunday, said many of the young people would rival his teammates when it came to the three-leg race.

The Bulldogs have raced short triathlons during pre-seasons, he said. 

“It’s great to see the young kids with a smile on their face as they cross the finishing line,” Mr Dunkley said. 

Like the participants on Sunday, his focus for 2017 was to “do better again, raise the bar”.