Hundreds of triathletes run, bike and swim in NP
Hundreds of triathletes from all over the country swam, ran and biked in New Plymouth as the Tri Taranaki Festival returned following a year’s absence.
The event, billed as a domestic celebration of triathlon, saw just under 600 athletes, in a variety of categories, on the course around Nga¯motu Beach yesterday.
Event director Channelle Barrett said those taking part included Hayden Wilde, the country’s top triathlete, who entered the Sprint North Island Championships.
‘‘It’s exciting to have him come here and race and support the event,’’ she said.
The festival went ahead after Covid-19 meant the World Triathlon Cup New Plymouth had to be called off.
Events included the New Zealand Schools Triathlon Championship,, a fun run and the Taranaki Tri-er for allcomers to give the sport a go.
‘‘We’re very happy to be operating this year,’’ Barrett said. ‘‘The support from the Taranaki community has been amazing.’’
Brea Roderick was the winner of the junior women’s triathlon – her first win in a national event.
The 18-year-old university student, from Cambridge, hopes her success will help her with her goal of one day reaching the Olympics.
She swam 750 metres, biked 18.5 kilometres and ran 5km in a time of 1 hour 8 minutes and said the hilly terrain made it a definite test of strength.
‘‘It’s quite a hilly course,’’ she said.
Roderick said she had been involved in triathlon since she was 14. ‘‘I like the variety of it,’’ she said. ‘‘There’s always something different to train for and work on.
You never really get bored with it.’’