To some, a triathlon is a crazy way to spend a Sunday morning.

“I think the triathletes are absolutely ridiculous,” commented Adam Perkins, “but what they do is just amazing.”

Perkins was one of several volunteers from Boy Scout Troop 53 at the Mattapoisett Lion's Club's 26th annual triathlon.

Starting at 8 a.m. on Sunday, more than 80 athletes from as far away as Framingham gathered at Mattapoisett Town Beach to take part in the competition that consists of a ¼-mile swim, a 10-mile bike ride and a 3.4-mile run.

Fifteen-year-old Kate Hughes of Rochester is a young athlete but not new to the triathlon.

“A couple of years ago I did the whole thing. I got first in my age group,” she said.

On Sunday, she was one of several Hughes in the competition, but not the youngest.

Kate was part of team Badger this year with her younger sister, 13-year-old Meg, and their family friend, Roger Spring. Her younger brother, Harrison, 10, participated in his first triathlon with Michael Madeiros of team Fly and Die.

After the run, it was the Hughes siblings who came out on top in the team category. Team Badger came in first with an overall time of 54:14, followed closely by Fly and Die with 54:26.

There was some controversy at the finish line. The first runner to cross the line, Nick Richardson, finished about seven minutes before the next person but crossed the finish line from the wrong direction.

Richardson claimed that he won fair and square, and that the club did not adjust the track fast enough for him. He was disqualified and the top male spot went to Eward Rheaume with an even 55 minute time.

Allison Rossi was the top female finisher with 59:48.

The complete results and times from the race are posted on www.coolrunning.com, or can be found on the Lions Club website at www.mattapoisettlionsclub.org.

The entire event was organized by Jeff Swift, a member of the Lions Club for 24 years and a local chiropractor.

A majority of the profits made from participants’ registration fees will go to the Lions Club International Fund, a part of the Lions Club with a focus on diabetes research. The rest will be dispersed to local charities.

“We’re known as the Knights of Helen Keller. Everything we do is for the prevention of blindness,” said Swift. “That’s what Lions are.”

The triathlon is considered the “kickoff event” for the week-long Harbor Days, a series of events held at Shipyard Park that will benefit multiple local charities.

The club is always seeking new members. Anyone interested in becoming a member of the Lions Club is encouraged to contact Tim Ray at 774-320-5736.