Race organiser Mark Emerton, from Elite Energy says about 600 people have already registered for the various events to be spread over the weekend of October 18 and 19.

There’s something to suit all ages and capabilities and for those armchair sportspeople out there, many of the events are designed to give spectators plenty of opportunities to catch some of the action.

For example, the NSW Long Course Triathlon on the Sunday will be over a loop course between Forster and Pacific Palms and will include the famous run leg across the bridge and on Saturday afternoon some of NSW’s top cyclists will attack the streets of Forster in a criterium-style event providing a spectacular finale to the day.

Mr Emerton is also keen to point out that while some events around the country cater for the elite and seasoned age groupers, the Forster weekend will focus on the family.

For the young ones the McDonald’s Miniman (ages 7 to 11 at 10.30am and ages 12 to 16 at 11.15am) should be a real winner.

Participation is the key here with no timing of competitors and with the swim taking place in the bullring ocean pool and a traffic free ride and run, parents can sit back and relax. Every child who enters will receive an event shirt and a finisher’s medal.

Another event aimed at the family is the Forster YMCA 5km fun run on Saturday at 4pm.

The event marks the return of triathlon to the Great Lakes following the loss of the Australian Ironman two years ago and Mr Emerton says it’s just how it should be.

“Forster and triathlon are like Wimbledon and tennis.”

The Forster Triathlon and Multisport Festival has been 12 months in the planning between Great Lakes Tourism, Great Lakes Council, Great Lakes International Triathlon Association (GLITA) and event company, Elite Energy.

GLITA is calling for locals to support the event by enlisting as volunteers.