The event is considered one of Australia’s most anticipated long course triathlons, and for Chapman to secure not only a top spot with her 4:41:45 finish time, but to also collect her professional licence from it is a massive achievement.

In the male race, Nick Kastelein was the fastest of the Mudgee competitors, making it back with 4:36:38 under his belt, which placed him fourth in the 50-54 years age group.

There were a handful of other male competitors as well, all of whom set good times across the course, including Ben Pirie (4:57:01), Chad Hurrell (4:57:01), Andy Rooke (5:17:09), Mal Pitt (5:27:59) and Nick Collings (5:28:24).

Soolan Clifford’s strong bike leg set a great base for the medal winning race, even as she raced with a cramp in the 20 kilometre run, and she finished with 5:24:14 in the end.

Elsewhere in the comp, Nicolette Karskens recorded 5:19:56 off the back of consistent bike and run legs, putting her in fifth place, while Jackie O’Hare recorded a gallant 5:48:35.

Junior athlete Bronte Clifford showed that she is one that could have her breakout season in the coming months as she finished in third in the 14/15 years sprint triathlon and swam a fast time of 16:23 in the one kilometre category.

Her performance on the Friday evening gave her sixth place in the under 15s category.

Mudgee was also represented in other events over the festival weekend, including the sprint triathlon.

Tracy Kastelein recorded 1:29:56 and took fourth in her age group, while Bronte Clifford recorded 1:23:53 and third in 14/15 years and Morgan Hurrell set 1:32:47 for fifth in 14/15 years.

In the enticer triathlon, Sian Potter claimed fifth in the 14/15 years off the back of a great 33:17 time.

Looking into the future for Mudgee triathletes, Shannon Chapman looks to compete in the half ironman distance Ultimate Forbes Triathlon on April 2, which will be her first race in the professional category.  

Along with Kastelein, Clifford is also looking ahead to the grueling Ironman Australia in Port Macquarie in May later this year.