New categories will add to appeal of 31st Triple Peaks
Next year will mark the Triple Peaks event’s 31st season, with organisers confident it’ll be “better than ever”.
“With new categories, a new event village location and a few innovative refinements, we are confident that the 2019 challenge will truly cement MCL Construction Triple Peaks as an iconic event for the region,” says Emma Buttle, co-director for the event.
One of Hawke’s Bay’s longestrunning, challenging and rewarding events, Triple Peaks will be held on Saturday, March 9.
Buttle and co-director Richard Mills, of Bennelong Mountain Bike Club, took the reins for the event last year and haven’t looked back.
“The positive response following 2018 Triple Peaks just blew us away. However, we will continue to refine and refresh the event format to en- sure it’s a well-oiled machine that both surprises and impresses our entrants,” said Buttle.
“Triple Peaks encompasses everything that we love about Hawke’s Bay, with breathtaking views and fantastic rugged terrain. It is an intensely rewarding challenge — a great event for the bucket list.”
Mills said: “It is an event that has deep roots in Hawke’s Bay, with proceeds going back to Te Mata Park Trust for 2019. It’s essential that it retains its local flavour.
“Fundraising is the primary goal for this event. We are excited about supporting such a wonderful community asset, and the One Giant Chance campaign to buy new land and plant more native trees for the park.
“While 2018 was a resounding success with over 770 competitors, we are making a few adjustments for next year, with a new duathlon category and e-bike category,” Mills said.
As the person responsible for course design, Mills is already planning which route to take.
“We want to ensure that the course is seriously good, with new tracks and trails never experienced in the event before.”
Another change for 2019 will be the location of the event village. Havelock North Village Green “will transform into a vibrant, lively and fun event village, with entertainment and activities for all the family,” Buttle said.
Organisers are also promoting the event beyond Hawke’s Bay.
“While 26 per cent of our entrants were from out of town in 2018, we believe we can further expand on this, attracting significant numbers of competitors from out of the region, with their friends and families, enjoying everything that Hawke’s Bay has to offer,” Buttle said.
The One Peak Explorer category is open for 2019 and with numbers limited to 150, entrants should sign up as soon as possible, Buttle said.