The Launceston resident set a new record for the one-hour event by completing 11 laps of the 150-metre swim, one-kilometre run course on Friday night.

He finished ahead of Colac’s Jarron Cole. Ballarat’s Ben Fahy, a former placegetter in the Surf ‘T’ Surf fun run, was third.

Warrnambool distance runner Alison Wilson, more akin to running on pavement than sand, took out the women’s event with nine laps.

Thirteen-year-old Naticia Varley was second while Karen Lourey was third.

James Goss and David Ferguson, competing under the banner Sausage Guts, took out the teams’ event with 10 laps.  WTC president Claire Farrer said about 60 competitors took part in the aquathon “which was really good”.

“We didn’t know being so close to Christmas whether there would be a lot of people out and about doing exercise,” she said.

“There were surprisingly a very small number of members and a lot of unfamiliar faces. I daresay there were quite a few non-locals.”

Farrer said Mullins was making a habit of crossing Bass Strait to compete in the aquathon. He was second last year, behind Travis Greening.

“He just comes over every year from Tassie. It’s his second time doing it. He was full of praise, was saying ‘what a great idea’,” she said.

“Eleven laps is a record for the event. He did 10 last year and Travis Greening has done 10 before but that’s the first time we’ve had someone do 11.”

afawkes@fairfaxmedia.com.au