The event was Warrnambool Tri Club’s 2011 foreshore triathlon and Noah, 14, finished back in the pack in the junior section.

“I finished the race but I don’t think I was any good at it. There were plenty of people better than me in the race,” he said.

But the swim-bike-run event captured his interest. Triathlon has since become a sporting priority for the Emmanuel College student.

He is a member of the WTC junior development squad and the South West Academy of Sport and trains under Dean Picken, Jayson Lamb and Joel Cornelissen. “I don’t want to be racing professionally (in the future) but I’d like to enjoy my sport and go as far as I can,” he said.

Noah will be among dozens of triathletes taking part in the WTC season-opening duathlon at Koroit tomorrow. The open section, which is handicapped, asks competitors to complete a 2.5km run, a 10km ride and 2.5km run, starting at 10am.

There are four junior grades, each with different distances, from 8.30am. The start-finish line is at the Koroit railway station.

“I think I’ll go pretty well. I’ve never raced out at Koroit before, there’s a chance of a place for this year,” he said.

“I don’t know what the track is like but I hope I’ve got enough experience to do well. As long as I enjoy it, that’s the main thing.”

WTC president Claire Farrer said organisers hoped almost 100 competitors — juniors and seniors — would face the starter.

“We haven’t had pre-registration for the event so it’s whoever turns up on the day,” she said.

Farrer encouraged people considering taking up triathlon for the first time to test themselves in the duathlon. “The duathlon is a great way for them to start because it’s a more relaxed event,” she said.