Great expectations for I Tri’d the Tri
Hundreds of youngsters will get their first taste of triathlon when the annual I Tri’d the Tri series gets under way this week.
The five-week triathlon series for children aged 4 to 12 at Skoglund Park and Freyberg Pool starts tonight, and organiser Andy Martin was expecting another big season.
About 600 had pre-registered by the end of last week, but Martin said they averaged 750 entries at meetings last year, so he hoped for similar numbers again.
Martin, a Massey University professor in the school of sport, exercise and nutrition, recently had his research examining the long-term participation and engagement of children taking part in triathlon published in the Annals of Leisure Research journal.
His research showed the main participation factors were fun, enjoyment with friends, competition, challenge and fitness , as well as tangible outcomes such as spot prizes, goodies and medals.
But he said the interesting thing he found was the increase in success since he started research in 2015.
He said they knew the event could eventually decline, so organisers worked to make sure it didn’t, building a greater social media presence and allowing online registrations.
Martin said they tried to make it better each year.
‘‘This is year 16.
‘‘It’s become an iconic Palmerston North event.
‘‘It’s like it’s February, it’s kids’ triathlon time.’’
Sport Manawatu¯ and schools also promoted participation and coaching, encouraging children from lowincome families to learn to swim and bike, particularly among underrepresented schools.
A lot of the children who enter later go into serious triathlon competition, Martin said.
Competitors can enter on the day, but organisers preferred online registrations.
All participants receive a T-shirt and drink bottle.
Junior Manawatu Triathlon Club members get free entry into the series.
At 5.20pm the 7-9 year olds start, then 4-6 year olds are at 6pm and the 10-12 year olds start at 6.30pm.