Among them were Port triathletes Peter Yapp, Graeme Chamberlain and Kevin Picton who conquered the 3.8km swim, 180km ride and 42.2 km run despite temperatures creeping into the 30s.

"It's a long, hard day," Yapp, who defied the conditions to post a personal best time of nine hours and forty-six minutes, said.

"The course there is fairly flat and that can be deceiving for some people, who go hard too early.

"By the time I was on the run, I looked up and about 90 per cent of the people in front of me were walking."

It was the second time Yapp, 38, has beaten the 10-hour mark and it bettered his time of nine hours and 45 minutes in the 2008 Port Macquarie Ironman.

Chamberlain and Picton, both in their 40s, posted times of 10 hours and 13 minutes and 12 hours and 16 minutes respectively.

Yapp, Chamberlain and Picton are expected to be among a healthy contingent of Tomaree Triathlon Club members heading to the Port Macquarie Ironman in March, a decision even Yapp struggles to justify.

"I don't know why we are doing it to ourselves, but a big group is madly preparing to go back up to the Port race," he said.

"It's a pretty addictive sport and the fitter and faster you get the more you want to improve."

Peak holiday season activity on the roads will prevent the Tomaree club holding a regular triathlon in January, so an aquathon will be held on Sunday.