Headspace trio — Clare Hand, Mark Powell and Michael Smith — will tackle the Warrnambool longcourse event tomorrow in a bid to promote the benefits of exercise on mental health. 

Hand and Powell work for Headspace — a national mental health foundation which caters for people aged 12 to 25,  providing counselling, education, employment, alcohol and drug services and general health advice.

Hand, a doctor who also works at Warrnambool Medical Clinic, said it was important to lead by example.

“We thought it was certainly a good opportunity to promote Headspace and exercise is such a good strategy for mental health management,” she said.

Sufferfest, now in its third year, includes a two-kilometre Hopkins River swim, 80km bike ride and 20km run along the Warrnambool foreshore promenade.

Hand will complete the swim leg, Powell the bike section and Smith the run.

“I think I have the good leg out there,” she said of the 2km swim.

“The cycling leg is tough — up and down Hopkins Point Road four times.

“I don’t have much of an idea where we’ll be in the field.

“We’d like to do our best and put in good times but getting through it is the main aim and enjoying the atmosphere.”

Hand, 33, moved to Warrnambool in 2010, four years after becoming a qualified general practitioner, for work.

Raised in New South Wales, Hand took up ocean swimming when she arrived in the south-west.

Her long-term goal is to complete a full marathon.

“I keep talking about it but I haven’t taken up cycling yet,” Hand said. 

“I think having a team to cheer on is more fun.”

Sufferfest starts at 7am tomorrow from Blue Hole car park. 

Reigning champion Tom Rodgers will return to defend his crown and inaugural winner Luke Bell, a Portland export, will also compete.

Organisers were unsure if 2014 women’s winner Emma O’Neill would take part.