In a health and fitness capacity, this could be an event you have entered or an approaching sporting season you need to get fit for.

The problem at the moment is the goal posts keep getting shifted due to coronavirus.

It has no doubt be a lean couple of years for those who regularly sign up for local events to maintain some training motivation. It has no doubt been even leaner for organisers.

Paul Humphreys, organiser of the annual Quarry Mining Maitland Triathlon, has taken a "pre-emptive strike" in the hope of securing this year's event by postponing it until December 12.

The long-running event staged out of Morpeth is being held for the 23^rd time and was scheduled for November 7.

"Our previous date was just a bit too close for what might be a point we can stage community sports events," Mr Humphreys said.

"The 70 per cent road map does not allow events like ours to happen. We will need to get to 80 per cent plus. We therefore have moved to December 12 to give ourselves and our participants some breathing space.

"As a state championship event and qualifier for the world age group championships, we have people from Queensland, Victoria and South Australia entered.

"They need some security. We must also order $20,000 worth of collateral and pay for everything in advance. It's a balancing act with no net."

Set along the Hunter River the event is not just for the diehard triathlete. There is something for the novice to the advanced.

There are long, standard and sprint distance events. The swim of each is in the Hunter river while the cycle and run are through farmland.

The long distance event comprises a two-kilometre swim, 60km ride and 15km run. The Olympic distance course is 1.5km swim, 40km cycle and 10km run. The sprint distance is a 750-metre swim, 20km cycle and 5km run. You can enter the events individually or as a team.

My first triathlon was as part of a team and was a great way to get a taste for the multi-discipline events. A team environment provides support and encouragement, not only on race day but in training.

Mr Humphreys predicted the race to sell out due to the likelihood of COVID restrictions being placed on participant numbers.

For the many who have turned to running or cycling to stay fit during lockdown then entering a triathlon could provide a further challenge. The Maitland Triathlon is 10 weeks from this coming Sunday.

If lockdown has brought your fitness campaign to a standstill then looking to one of hopefully many events back on the Hunter region 2022 calendar might provide inspiration and motivation to get moving.

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

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

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