THE Bargara Triathlon this weekend should be a walk in the park for local triathlete Jodie Brighton.

Held for the first time in the town for almost 30 years, Brighton will compete after doing the Ironman 70.3 event in Malaysia during the Easter school holidays.

The teacher, in warm and brutal conditions, finished 5th in her division and 166th overall which included professional racers.

Brighton described just how tough the conditions were.

"One of the professionals actually explained it as racing under a hot hairdryer blowing on you all the time," she said.

"(You were) just putting ice wherever you can put (it). By the time you raced two kilometres to the next aid station your ice was melted."

With the athlete now preparing to compete in the Long Distance World Championships in the United States in September she said it was good to head overseas before the event.

Unfortunately though it has compromised her preparations for this weekend.

"I only raced a week and a half ago in Malaysia and I haven't done too much since then," she said.

"It was just a matter of getting back into the race scene after that race (in Malaysia) and just enjoying myself and supporting the triathlon club."

"I'm looking forward to my family coming and watching."

She said the shorter distance, which includes a 750m swim, 20km bike ride, and 5km run, could make it hard for competitors.

"Short is actually quite hard, your heart rate is high the entire time," she said.

Brighton is one of about 90 competitors confirmed for the event, with up to seven coming from the Sunshine Coast to compete.

They will race around Bargara with Kellys Beach, the Esplanade and other areas used for the event.

Race director Dwayne McKay said the support has been great for the event.

"It looks like we'll top 100 which is a great start," McKay said.

He said organisers wanted to make it an enjoyable experience for everyone.

The action will start at 6am on Sunday with the Turtles class.