The championships will be the first of four major state and national Cross Triathlon Championships to take place at Crusoe Reservoir over the next four years.

Cross triathlon is an adrenalin-packed sport that features swimming, mountain bike riding and trail running.   About 450 competitors are expected to complete the 1500m swim, 30km XC Mountain Bike and 10km Trail Run. The event will also be treated as a qualifying round for the 2015 ITU World Cross Triathlon Championships.

City of Greater Bendigo mayor Barry Lyons said the city looked forward to seeing the series develop over the next four years.

“Cross triathlon is rapidly growing in popularity and it is no secret Bendigo residents embrace sport of all kinds." he said.

“Crusoe Reservoir is a perfect setting for this event, with competitors swimming, riding and running amongst some of central Victoria’s most beautiful natural terrain and scenery.

“Securing this event is a credit to the city, which has worked hard to develop Crusoe Reservoir as an ideal location for uses such as this and we look forward to welcoming the competitors, supporters and spectators to Bendigo,” said Cr Lyons.

Sport and Recreation Minister Damian Drum said the Australian Cross Triathlon Championships would be a significant event that attracted athletes and spectators from across the country.

"The economic benefits will be substantial for Bendigo, while the promotion of sport will also provide benefits. The Victorian Coalition government is proud to support this event that helps build a better Victoria," Mr Drum said.

Race director Simon Lazenby said Crusoe Reservoir made Bendigo a natural choice to host the event series.

“Discovering Crusoe Reservoir was like discovering a gold nugget in heart of regional Victoria.  It’s as if the venue was purpose built to host an Australian Cross Triathlon Championship, not to mention Bendigo’s close proximity to Melbourne.

“The off-road approach of cross triathlon means that 'off-road’ is fast becoming the 'only road’ for athletes wanting to push themselves to the limit and it’s fantastic that we have been able to find a site that can cater for the sport,” he said.

Triathlon Australia CEO Anne Gripper said the weekend would be a highlight of the years Cross Triathlon calendar.

“We are confident that the event will attract Australia’s best elite cross triathletes and a large field of age group athletes vying for points in the National Cross Triathlon Qualifying Series,” Ms Gripper said.

The weekend will also include sprint distance, junior and Dirt Kids cross triathlon and trail run events.

For more information, visit www.tre-x.com.au