Peter, Michael, Troy and Luke Nesbitt racing Ironman Cairns

People often refer to the IRONMAN ® family as a way to describe the strong sense of community felt by those taking on the 3.8km swim, 180km ride and 42.2km run that make up an IRONMAN event.

For Peter Nesbitt, a doctor from the country town of Moama in NSW, that description is a little more literal. Nesbitt and his two brothers will be on the start line at the Cairns Airport IRONMAN Cairns on June 14.

With Nesbitt’s two brothers, Michael 49, and Troy 43 living in Perth, IRONMAN events have become their annual catch up.

It all started in December 2010 when Michael and his son Luke signed up to race at the 2011 SunSmart IRONMAN Western Australia.

“Michael called me while I was doing ward rounds at the hospital. After a bit of persuasion he also signed me up,” Peter said.

Initially Peter’s reasons for entering were fitness based, he felt having a long term goal would help him maintain his fitness.

“The great thing about the next 12 months was that we would communicate regularly to discuss training and tactics. The whole four days in Busselton were fantastic and the finish was an extraordinary feeling, one that I immediately said I would do again,” he said.

Not to be left out brother Troy jumped on the family bandwagon at the IRONMAN Asia-Pacific Championship Melbourne in 2013. That year Peter, Michael, Troy and Michael’s son Luke all raced.

“While I get a lot of satisfaction from competing I really enjoy being involved with my brothers,” Peter said. “We would be lucky to talk to each other a couple of times a year without IRONMAN. Now we chat weekly.”

As well as the IRONMAN events Peter, Michael and Luke completed IRONMAN 70.3 Shepparton in 2012 and Michael, and Troy have met Peter in Sydney for the last two years to do the Sydney Marathon.

As you’d expect the brothers engage in lots of friendly banter in the lead up to each event.

“I love the build up to each IRONMAN event. Focussing for two to three days beforehand on the event and sharing lots of laughs and jokes is the best family time,” Peter said. “I am always apprehensive at the start but love the feeling of knowing that I should be right to finish because of the preparation. And running down the finish chute is just the best feeling, being able to share it with my family is special.”

The IRONMAN events have come to mean more to the Nesbitt’s than swimming, biking and running. It’s kept them close, and has become an excuse for the entire clan to get together on a regular basis.

“In Busselton 2013 all of our wives and children (nine children in total) wore shirts that my daughter had made with ‘Team Nesbitt’ and all of our names. It was fantastic going past them on each of the run laps in particular with lots of cheering and high fives,” Peter said.

“In Cairns I am looking forward to spending the week with my brothers and our wives, as well as a few other friends. My time and position don’t really matter that much as long as I can finish in good shape and beat my brothers (I told you we are competitive).”