Included were former Australian and world champion triathlete, Brad Beven and fellow former triathlon champions, Marc Dragon, Wayne `Chipmunk' Fraser and Tim A'hern.

Tony Unicomb and Jeff Williams were amongst his life-long friends who gave touching tributes, along with Mark Pringle's father Bob, his brother Shaughan and his daughter Nicky.

Mark Pringle, a former national triathlon champion, is regarded as one of the founding fathers of the sport of triathlon in this country.

He died in hospital last week, five weeks after he was discovered critically injured on the side of a road, while training with other triathletes in Abu Dhabi, in the Arab Emirites.

Police are still investigating the incident.

See Thursday's Leader for the full story.

Click on the comment link below to leave a tribute to Mark Pringle.