It's time to meet the team members of the 'Tri Port Challengers' who are pitting themselves against the world's best athletes at next year's gruelling Challenge Cairns event.

The group of six athletes have already started training for the event which is set to see thousands of people converge on the region, and they are looking for local sponsors to help them fly the Port Douglas flag.

Over the coming weeks we'll meet each team member and get to know them a little better so you can cheer them on as they embark on the ride leg through our town.

Chelsea Walk

The Newsport: What's your occupation?

Chelsea Walk: Tourism Port Douglas Daintree's social media and coffee girlWhy are you taking up the Challenge? I've always wanted to ride the road from Port Douglas to Cairns without becoming road kill. The cycle leg of the race starts from Yorkey's Knob and comes right through Port so it's a perfect excuse.

TN: What's your biggest challenge that you've undertaken to date?

CW: Port Douglas Long Course - 2km swim, 80km ride, 20km run - very tough. Not only that, but the race started in the middle of the day. Running a close second would be raising Daisy, my rotteweiler puppy.

TN: What's your favourite leg of the triathlon?

CW:        The run - it's the home stretch baby!

TN:    Why should Port Douglas locals should be excited about the event?

CW: Because it's going to be the single biggest sporting event in our region to date. Because it's the only race of its kind in Australia. Because thousands of people and athletes will travel from around the world (including around 3-4 supporters) and will stay here for at least a week. Because the prize money is the second largest in triathlon in the world and the largest in Australia. Because Port Douglas is going to be right in the middle of the race course!!! How could you not be excited?? I could keep going... but you get my drift right??

TN : Who is the team mate you most admire and why?

CW: James. Because he's all guts and no gadgets. You don't need to have the latest and greatest to enjoy triathlon (even at his age).

TN: Any last words?

CW: The whole team are an inspiration. They all only started triathlon this year and to compete in a race of this distance is something triathletes usually build up to for several years. Nick is a slave driver but he's so motivated and really passionate, which is exactly what our team needs to get us through the tough training ahead.