The original date had to be rescheduled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but it has meant some athletes have made the decision to defer or transfer their entry.

Ironman Oceania communications and media director Craig Heydon said competitors can still enter their registrations the same way as before - through the Ironman 70.3 Port Macquarie website.

"When the 2020 Ironman 70.3 Port Macquarie was rescheduled, participants who could not attend the new date were given the chance to move their entry to a selected other event," he said.

"This resulted in a number of spots for the previously sold out 2020 event opening up again."

Mr Heydon said entry numbers were constantly changing as competitors registered, however there are still numerous entries remaining.

The decision was made on March 17 by Ironman Australia to postpone the premier triathlon event and the 70.3 race scheduled to be held in Port Macquarie on May 3.

The 70.3 race was a sell-out for the fourth straight year while the full event was close to setting a participation record.

The three-day triathlon festival in Port Macquarie also includes a Bright Night community fundraising fun run and IronKids mini triathlon supported by hundreds of volunteers.

The event is a platform for professional athletes to earn a spot in the 2020 IRONMAN World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i.

To register, head to https://www.ironman.com/im703-port-macquarie.

While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox from the Port Macquarie News. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, sign up here. If you would like to support our journalists you can subscribe here.