The Biggest Ever Nepean Triathlon Field

Triathlon’s popularity had soared in the late 1980’s and the 1990 event at Tench reserve in Penrith hosted the largest field on record. 2,134 competitors took part in the event which made it the second biggest field in the world at the time, second only to Chicago. There were 1,333 finishers which remains an event record.

A previous winner in the women’s division Liz Hepple (the 1983 winner) returned to the sport of triathlon to take the 1990 crown 7 years later. Liz had spent a few years away from main stream triathlon, chasing the cycling circuit.

The male champion, Brad Beven was just starting out in his stellar career becoming one of the most winningest triathletes in the history of the sport. Brad was to go on to win 3 world cup titles and become almost a perfectionist by winning the triathlon grand prix series held in the late 1990’s.

Brad was struck by a car putting him out of contention for 2000 Olympic qualification. He returned to the Nepean Triathlon in 2007 and took 3rd place outright, showing he had not lost much speed almost 17 years later!