Events start at 8am and race director Stephen Dawes said the gruelling 27.5-kilometre changes race from midday would provide plenty of excitement for spectators.

Most longer races go from point to point whereas the Newcastle event will be five loops of a course from Horseshoe beach, along Nobbys breakwall and 800 metres out to sea.

“A lot of these races the fun is at the start then the bit in the middle is really boring for spectators then it gets exciting again at the end,” Dawes said.

“Because of the way we use a looped course, which no one else does, spectators can see what is going on for nearly the whole course.”