The Anaconda Adventure Race rolls into town Friday, and organiser John Jacoby knows exactly what he wants for the sophomore race.

“Some nice North Coast weather would be good. Last year the Saturday was pretty trashy, but the Sunday was beautiful.”

Last year drew 300 competitors, and Jacoby hopes for an extra hundred this time. But he says it’s the quality, more than the quantity, that excites him.

“We’ve had 160 entries, with about 130 at the same stage last year.

“You know most of the entries will come at the last minute,” he said.

“It’s the incredible contingent from out of town that’s making us happy, and probably making the Great Lakes tourist people happy.”

Some of the best triathletes and lifesavers ever to snap on goggles will overrun the Great Lakes’ beaches, roads and lakes.

Reigning series champion Ben Allen will resume his rivalry with 2006 winner and Ironman great Guy Andrews.

They face a fierce challenge from Queensland’s Glen Kirby, West Australian Sean O’Neil and women’s champion Christie Sym. Last year, New Zealand’s Richard Ussher took the men’s individual gold in just over eight hours, and first-placed woman Sym crossed in nine hours 45 minutes.

Ussher took out the series opener at the Gold Coast earlier this month, and Nicole Rutland was the fastest woman in front of her home crowd.

Jacoby wasn’t sure how locals still digesting a Beijing smorgasbord would respond to another helping of athletes. “It probably could work either way,” he laughed.

“They could be totally sported-out and need a break, or it could really get them in the mood for the race.”

The Anaconda goes two days and is split into Men, Women and Teams.

ing, kayaking, mountain biking and running.

The 64km Sunday course is a 1.9km ocean swim, 16km trail run, 30km mountain bike leg, 13km paddle and 3km run over the Forster Tuncurry bridge and Main Beach.

Jacoby said the course has been tweaked to avoid a repeat of 2007’s logjam at Coomba Park.

“We’ve made a few minor changes to the transition areas to make it a bit smoother. Last year the one we used at the Aquatic Club was a bit tight because of the narrow road, so we thought using the boat ramp area would be better for spectators and parking.”

Fine-tuning hasn’t been confined to the race circuit.

“We’ve tried to increase the atmosphere at the finish and the expo by having an open bar,” Jacoby said.

“It’s one of the perks of having a beer sponsor.”

The Anaconda Adventure Race starts 7am Saturday at Forster Main Beach.