While many are rejoicing in the return of their local parkrun after months without it, others have been craving new challenges to spark motivation in training.

That thirst for action has been seen in entries for events such as the Lake Macquarie Adventure Race to be staged out of Cams Wharf on February 13.

It forms part of the Maximum Adventure Race Series with events also being held in Brisbane in March, Sydney's Royal National Park in May, Queensland's Sunshine Coast in July and the Blue Mountains in September.

An event spokesperson for the Lake Macquarie Adventure Race said the event "has gone gang busters".

This year it sold out one month before race day, a feat that has not been achieved for the past six years.

They had no doubt it was helped along by COVID-19 and other events being cancelled, but also felt the fact travel was restricted, a lot of people were looking locally within their community or state for events.

The event, sponsored by Lake Macquarie City Council, has recorded an increase of 11 per cent of participants coming from out of area to take part. There was also an eight per cent increase in new competitors from last year.

It is marketed as "short, fast and fun" as well as "suitable for anyone and everyone with a real sense of adventure" and is being held for the ninth time.

Designed as an introduction to the sport of adventure racing, it combines mountain biking, trail running and kayaking and is a two-person event, which means entrants have support the whole way.

There are two courses - classic and novice. Participants get to ride through the bush, run or walk over rock platforms and through tidal pools and paddle on the lake.

It is not the only event attracting good interest. H Events director Paul Humphreys reported numbers were "strong" for the Sparke Helmore Newcastle City Triathlon on February 21. He said entries were on par with last year and expected the event would be a sell-out.

It is being offered as part of a destination event with H Events also running the Newcastle Aquathon - a 750-metre swim in the harbour followed by a 5km run - the day before.

Next month, for the first time, H Events will also run a swimrun event which will comprise five swims and six runs from the beach to the harbour. It will be followed by the Nobbys 2 Newcastle Ocean Swim the next day and offers a weekend of activity.

Send your health and fitness news to r.valentine@austcommunitymedia.com.au.

Renee Valentine is a journalist, qualified personal trainer and mother of three.