Rob Seale is about to embark on his seventh Gloucester Mountain Man Trichallenge and is in no way slowing down. In fact, he is on a mission to encourage more locals to participate.

He was part of in a team for his first race with locals Mark Lukas and Darren Royce. 

“Because it seemed like the natural thing to do for people living in Gloucester,” he said.

Since then he has competed four times as a solo; winning first, second, third and fourth (in no particular order) for the Local Male division. This year, he is part of a team with two new competitors he has inspired to joined him. Jim Bird will take on the cycling and Dave Keen is paddling the river while Rob is the running man.

“It’s a myth that all competitors start training six months before and give up drinking,” he said.

“Most of us get the boat out a few weeks before to make sure it floats or get out the bike to make sure the tyres are still inflated.”

He has only started his running training a couple weeks ago. He just loves to get in and have a go.

“It feels like the whole town should be involved, all helping out in some way,” he said.

“Without the volunteers it just wouldn’t go ahead.”

Rob is passionate about trying to get more locals and students involved. He is even training some year seven and eight students for their own triathlon in hope they will join up for the town competition.

“It’s such a rewarding experience and we are so lucky, as a community to have this on our doorstep.”

On average the annual event draws around 200 to 250 competitors and is held on the second Sunday of September. The Challenge is somewhat unique, consisting of a 20.4 kilometre mountain bike ride along mountain and four-wheeled-drive roads, creek beds, cattle tracks, rainforest and open country. The second leg consists of a 10.7 kilometre kayak paddle down the Barrington River. The final section is a 8.8 kilometre run along the Thunderbolts Way ending at Gloucester District Park.

For more information or to register visit, http://www.gloucestertri.com.au