Donna Gellard and partner Dudley Donovan are heavily involved in the Bunbury Triathlon Club and are both competing in the sprint distance this weekend with a 750m swim, 20km ride and a 5km run.

Another race in the season opener is an Olympic distance event with a 1500m swim, 40km ride and a 10km run.

Gellard and Donovan have been training hard for the event and both said its common for people to use the Bunbury Classic as preparation for the Busselton Ironman later this year.

Donovan said each entrant has their own training method for how they want to compete in the race.

"We will run 30 kilometres a day and some will only run 12 kilometres, but they will run that distance hard and fast. Were all about endurance," Donovan said.

Both Gellar and Donovan are on the committee at the Bunbury Triathlon Club and Gellard said one of the reasons she enjoys triathlons so much is because of the people that are involved.

"The thing we like about it is the people you associate with, there just really happy and positive people, and it’s a great lifestyle. It’s when I catch up with my friends," Donovan said.

The State event has a number of different age divisions along with a completive elite open division and, like at the Bunbury Triathlon club the different divisions have a mix in the level of ability and competition.

"We have the elite athletes that travel the world circuit and lots of local athletes that are just there to have a go and get a coffee and a breakfast after," Donovan said.

Originally a runner, Donovan became involved in triathlons because of Gellard’s involvement in the sport, and now it is something that both are passionate about.

"All you do is eat, sleep, train and do iron man," Donovan said.

"We’re lucky were partners."