The inaugural half iron distance event was contested on Sunday on a swim, bike and run course centered on Crusoe Reservoir and the Greater Bendigo National Park.

It was hometown athletes Walsh and O'Brien who took the honours in their respective ultimate solo events.

Walsh, who turned professional late last year, completed the 1.9km swim, 90km bike ride and 21.1km run race in 4:19:35, a little over six minutes faster than David Meade.

In an amazing result, Bendigo Triathlon Club members filled the top five positions, with Nathan Meade third ahead of Kyle Lierich and Xavier Meade.

Roy Preece finished 15th

O'Brien was 10th across the line, but a clear winner of the women's race in 5:03:27.

Her time was 21 minutes faster than the runner-up Elizabeth Young.

It was a wonderful preparation for O'Brien, who will later this year contest the Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Her Bendigo club mate Georgie Lanyon was fifth across the line and first in her 45-49 age division.

Bendigo Triathlon Club's John Flood said it was a great race for the locals and great showcase for the sport.

"It was obviously a big weekend for sport in Bendigo with the AFL game and the madison, so it had a bit of competition," he said.

"But the promoters were happy with the turnout and the layout was very appealing to the competitors and spectators.

"They are going to commit to another couple of years and try and build the race up and even add some events, something like a mountain bike event.

"Moving forward it will be good for Bendigo as we don't have any what you'd call second-tier, above club racing events, in Bendigo at the moment."

In other good results, Damien Hughes finished 19th overall and second in the 35-39 age group, Kevin Walsh was 23rd and second in the 50-54 age group, Paul Buncle won the 60-64 age group and was 27th and Karl Lanyon was 30th and second in the 45-49 race.

Bendigo's Geoffrey Graham was a popular winner of the 65-69 age category.

He finished 52nd overall in a time of 7:7:39.

The event also offered a sprint course (750m swim, 20km bike and 5km run) and a beginners or enticer triathlon (100m swim, 4km bike and 1km run).

Mitchell O'Neill was the first Bendigo athlete home in the sprint in 1:02:03 and first in his 14-15 years division. Craig Sloan finished fourth.

Steve Monigatti was 10th and first in the 45-49 category.

Focus for Bendigo Triathlon Club athletes this weekend turns to the club championships, the final event of the summer season.