Featonby pressed to the limit in record-breaking The Rock Triathlon win | Photos

Sunday's The Rock Triathlon bared many resemblances to the Riverina Tri Series opener at Ganmain a month ago after Albury duo Jesse Featonby and Julia Hargreave continued their dominance.

Featonby completed the 2km run-20km cycle-300m swim-4km run event in 54:41 minutes, shaving almost four minutes off the previous benchmark .

He had to work hard to hold off Leeton's Ed Langdon, who finished runner-up for the second straight event just 21 seconds behind, while defending race and series champion Scott Donaldson was again third.

The women's podium was also identical to Ganmain, with Hargreave (1:09.26) winning by almost a minute from Mollie Walsh (1:10.18) and Amy Combs (1:12.16).

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Featonby and Langdon were neck-and-neck at the transition into the 4km run last leg, but Featonby outclassed his younger rival by 18 seconds to continue his unbeaten start.

Featonby hadn't raced triathlon for over six years after a stint cycling professionally overseas, but has stamped himself as the clear man to beat.

"After Ganmain there was four weeks in between but it was good to get another hit-out, and there was a really good turnout," Featonby said.

"There was over 200 entrants which is the best they've ever had, it's great to see these community events up and running and people getting around each other again.

"Everyone is craving any type of social interaction they can at the moment after last year (when there wasn't much racing due to COVID), the footy clubs and the kids competing out there was really cool. It's what it's all about," Featonby said.

"The circuit was really fast and it was good competition. There was some guys nipping at my heels which always makes you go that bit faster.

"It was great to get pushed all the way by Ed."

Teenagers Ethan Tough and Jackson Tenhave also had strong races, finishing fourth and fifth overall respectively.

The Rock-Yerong Creek organises the triathlon every year, and club co-president David Pieper said they were ecstatic with the numbers given the other options available for athletes this weekend.

"We've had our highest number of competitors even though Albury had a triathlon on, the Tolland Open (cycling) was on and the Falls Creek Cycle," Pieper said.

"The vibe from everyone after, everyone was rapt with it."

The third and penultimate event of the Riverina Tri Series will be held at Holbrook this Sunday, March 14, before the series winds up at West Wyalong on Saturday, March 27.

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