Four weeks on it has paid off and Wilson, a sports teacher at Dungog High School, achieved the goal that has kept him motivated to train each and every morning.

The 37-year-old from Tenambit took out the annual Maitland Triathlon Club handicap race at Maitland Park on Sunday last week, after turning out his fastest time of the season.

Wilson finished the 450-metre swim, 18-kilometre ride and 4km run in a time of 58.47 minutes after starting the race with a handicap of 21 minutes.

Wilson said he was pleased with his performance and satisfied his training regime had paid dividends when it counted after a relaxed Christmas period.

“I had been in the UK for five weeks and I’m a school teacher so I had not been training as regularly as usual for about two months,” he said.

“This meant I had to challenge myself to return to fitness ... so I set myself the goal to try and win it (the handicap race) to encourage me to keep training and it paid off.”

Wilson, who often rides to work from Maitland over the Bingleburra mountain, rode a typically strong bike leg to get within striking distance of the lead.

However Wilson still had a lot of work to do.

Approximately 10 competitors remained in front of him on the run leg and he needed to dig deep on the final lap to secure the title.

A stronger-than-normal swim was backed up by an excellent bike leg and after reeling in those in front of him, Wilson was able to hold off the fast finishers to win the event from David Milgate (20-minute handicap) and Shaun Welch (21.20-minute handicap).

More than 60 triathletes participated in the annual race – the only one on the club’s calendar where everyone competes for the same piece of silverware.

Last year's winner, Bob Wonders put in a gallant effort and handed the trophy over in good spirits.

He said that his dream of being a two-time winner wasn't over and he would be back next year for another crack at the coveted prize. For Wilson though, it was a day when it all came together, at just the right time.