, with the main challenge coming from a headwind rather than hills. The run was reminiscent of a school event - three laps around the sports fields. First-timers agreed that the event was a perfect first triathlon experience - not intimidating or too challenging

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, there was everything to swim for.Being a two-lap swim, there were inevitable complications. Ironman first-timer Cat Heraty said, "It's a very weird sensation to get into the sea with 1,300 other people and start swimming to the same point. Sooner or later, even