10th anniversary of the popular event.

And, as in previous years, the emphasis will be on "fun''.

To ensure that as many youngsters as possible compete, the swim will be held in shallow water with competitors allowed to wear waterwings and even walk the course.

Seven to 10 year olds will complete a 100 metre swim, two and a half mile bike and half-mile run while the 11-14 year olds take on a 200 metre swim, five mile bike ride and one mile run.

The overall winner of the 11-14 year old boys is likely to come from a group including Nick Taylor (14), Chris Conway (13), Brian Steinhoff (13), Matthew Herring (12) and Adam Petty (11) with only a matter off seconds expected to separate these contenders.

Taylor, who won the junior triathlon in May, is likely to start as slight favourite but with Steinhoff in good form on the bike and Conway a fast runner, it could come down to a sprint finish. Lawson Williams and Shannon Dyer, both 12, and 14-year-old Mark Morrison are also likely contenders. A fast improving Chayce Smith (11), although unlikely to upstage Petty, will be hoping for a strong race following his second place finish in his last triathlon in the 10-year-old age group.

In girls competition, Ashley Robinson Roberts (13), winner of the last triathlon, will start as slight favourite over Shanay Scott (13), Ashley Kirkpatrick (12) and Melissa DeSilva (12) who will be again battling for 12-year-old honours.

A more competitive division will no doubt be the 10-year-old boys where Geoffrey Smith, unbeaten this season, again will attempt to hold off the much improved Coyatito Smith and Tyler Abbott.

Ten year old Flora Duffy will once again be guaging her performance against the 10-year-old boys, having finished behind Geoffrey Smith in April and third behind Smith and Chayce Smith in May.

In the younger boys age groups, an interesting contest could shape up between Raishun Burch (8), Andrew Nichol (8) and Tim Fox, who at seven years of age is rapidly picking off his older rivals as the season progresses. Included in the field will be 44 members of the Tri Hedz junior triathlon club, 28 of whom will be travelling to Canada to compete in the President's Choice Triathlon in Guelph on June 26.

Two other members, Spencer Conway and Tyler Butterfield, are too old to compete this weekend but will also be competing in Guelph. This will be the last chance for the youngsters to race before the departure of the 53 strong team to Canada next Friday.

Entry deadline for the Gibbons Company Ironkids has been extended to today at 5.00 p.m. Forms are available at Gibbons Company, Sportseller and Winners Edge. Races gets underway at 9.30 a.m.