More than 400 entries have already been received for the Elite Energy event, which will include six races.

Harrison will line up in the Olympic event which includes a 1.5km swim, 40km ride and 10km run.

The longest race the Orange Cycle and Triathlon Club (OCTC) normally runs at Lake Canobolas is a 750m swim, 20km ride and 5km run, the same as today’s Sprint race.

Harrison said he entered the Olympic event to change things up.

“I was tempted to do the Sprint. I’m doing the Olympic just for something different. It was a good race last year,” Harrison said.

The 21-year-old said the Orange athletes, and those who have raced at Lake Canobolas before, have a distinct advantage because of their course knowledge.

“It’s a tough ride and run because of the hills. The Sydney people who come don’t normally have those continuous undulating hills to train on,” he explained.

“We definitely have an advantage because we know what to expect. 

“The run takes you behind the lake (Canobolas) and when you come back in from that there’s that sharp hill you have to go up. You have to do that three times and we know that. Plus you run past the finish line twice before you finish. 

“So, we probably have more of a psychological advantage because we know about the course.”

Harrison said a number of Orange triathletes had been training well and would be ones to look out for in today’s events.

“Jess Richards will be in the women’s event. She’s got a really strong bike leg, so she should be right up there,” he said.

“A lot of people from the Orange club have been training really well.”

Harrison will use today’s race as part of his preparation for the Australian sprint championships which will be held in Melbourne in two weeks.

Late entries for the Triathlon Festival will be taken today at Lake Canobolas from 5.30am (Olympic), 8.30am (Sprint), 10.30am (Enticer), and 11.40am and 1.10pm (MiniMan).

For more information go to www.eliteenergy.com.au/orange/.