The Victorian led the field across the line after leading each leg of the event throughout the morning. It was Kohlar’s second tri challenge, after tackling last year’s modified course after the kayak leg was cancelled. In 2007 he finished third.

The race consists of a 22km mountain bike ride, 9 km kayak in the Barrington River then a 9km cross-country run back into Gloucester

Kohlar completed the course in 2 hours 25 mins 30 seconds ahead of Paul Robertson and Matthew Kent.

The paddle leg was Kent’s favourite on the day.

“In some sections of the rapids I was even on the edge,” he said. Kohlar made the transition from the kayak to the run in unique style, opting to swim across the Barrington River rather than walk through the fast flowing current.

He said the race has a great future, particularly with the growing number of adventure athletes contesting events like the Anaconda series.

One of the highlights of the event, for Kohlar, was the community atmosphere and role volunteers play in the event.

The women’s event was taken out by Queenslander Narelle Ash, her seventh victory on the course.

Ash, who completed the course in 2hrs 59 mins 55 secs named the bike leg as her favourite and said the kayak was particularly challenging this year as she competed in a borrowed kayak that she hopped into for the first time on Sunday.

She too paid tribute to the organisers and volunteers and said she’d be back again in 2008 for what is a “great event”.

The first local across the line was Luke Sutton, who finished 10th overall.

Second local over the line was Michael Malone.

Race director Sam de Witte said the event was run in perfect conditions, with cooler conditions compared to Saturday’s mid-30 degree temperatures. He said once again the committee and volunteers had helped bring the event together.

The only incident on the day, a large tree branch crashed to the ground at Rocky Crossing near spectators, but no-one was injured.