The Tri Port Challengers continue to ignore the ever-tempting snooze button in order to prepare themselves for the biggest sporting challenge of their lives - Challenge Cairns.

With the eyes of the triathlon world on our region in just 170 days time, it's a great opportunity for local businesses to support the team, and get some valuable exposure at the same time.

James Long

The Newsport: What do you do for a crust, James?

James Long: I'm the Executive Chef at SeaTemple Resort and Spa in Port Douglas.

TN: Why are you getting involved in the Cairns Challenge?

JL: It's the chance to be part of a major sporting event in our own backyard.

Competing with all the pros will be massively rewarding and of course pushing myself to achieve what most would say is all but impossible (after all who does a 3.8km swim and then rides 180km before starting a marathon?)

The buzz from such a big event will be huge. Also having the chance to swim, ride and run on the closed roads etc will be awesome.

TN: What's the biggest challenge you've ever undertaken?

JL: My biggest sporting challenges to date having been winning the junior powerlifting championships for the 82.5kg class (many moons ago) and this September finishing the Port Long course triathlon (similar to a half ironman in distance).

But overall being a father to my two boys would top both of those in terms of effort and reward.

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

JL: I love the swim because I have really improved this leg and find that it settles me down for the race ahead. Once I am out of the water it is just a matter of pushing on from there.

TN: Why should locals be excited about the event?

JL: FNQ doesn’t really attract anything national and certainly nothing international in terms of sporting events. This will give us the platform to prove we are more than capable of hosting these events which will put the focus on us as a region again.

As a tourist destination this is critical in maximising tourist numbers coming to the region not just for that event but across the board. 12 hours of TV coverage is a too good an opportunity to miss.

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

JL: Kate (Houlahan) is one to never miss a triathlon. She always turns up for all the Tri Port series and the other more serious ones in between organised by Cairns Crocs.

That said, she is down to earth and really enjoys the fun times and is an inspiration to the other members especially when her dog Hairy Harry turns up to cheer everyone on.

TN: Any last words?

JL: I would just like to say that this is a great opportunity for the local companies to get on board without having to actually do any training…. What more could they ask for?