Local Nick Thompson broke the course record on his way to a third consecutive Busselton 100 and the Australian long distance title at Sunday’s 25th edition of Busselton Festival of Triathlon.

Thompson surged away from former winner and eventual runner-up Matt Burton in the final run leg to win in three hours, 14 minutes and 26 seconds.

Fourth out of the water after perfect conditions for the 2km swim, Thompson moved into the lead in the opening 10km of the 80km bike leg, before Burton took control on his favoured cycling leg.

He held a 40-second advantage over Thompson entering the 18km run, but Thompson’s pace proved too quick as he moved into a lead over the opening 3km he would not relinquish.

“I know there have been a few names such as Pete Jacobs and Felicity Sheedy-Ryan who have won four long course state champs in Busselton so it was nice to have the chance to edge one step closer. Three on the trot I couldn’t be more pleased,” Thompson said.

“Swim was good pretty flat. Small bits and pieces of swell close to the shore but it was fast.

“It was quite a cold morning, so it didn’t feel super quick through the quick and it was a bit of a slog in parts. Not as quick as previous years and really had to force the body to keep on top of the power and speed. With the run I thought I would just go out and try and bank some time before the ironman legs caught up with me.”

WA’s Jasmine Brown won the women’s Busselton 100 and national title.

After emerging from the water in third position Brown rode her way into the lead in the first 10km of the cycle leg and was not passed from that point, winning in 3hr41min49sec.

It was the first time the National championships were held in WA since 1997.

Thompson and Brown were among 3000 participants including more than 1300 debutants taking part.

Tim Howley, Warren Milward, Paul Kelly, Graeme Atwell, and Craig Kimpton completed their 25th Busselton Festival of Triathlon, further writing their names into the history books as the only five riders to complete every edition of the event. In addition to the Busselton 100, the Busselton Festival of Triathlon also included the Busselton 50, 25 and 5 as well as Aquabike and Duathlon events.