Hundreds in IronMaori
The popularity of IronMaori continues to rise, with participants from around the North Island turning up to the latest event.
On Saturday, Hawera hosted the triathlon, which attracted 400 adult competitors. About 70 children took part in the IronMaori race which was held on Friday.
Te Runanga o Ngati Ruanui chief executive Debbie NgarewaPacker said the event was ballooning in popularity not just within Taranaki but from further afield as well. People from Whanganui, Wellington, Whakatane and Opotiki were among those at the South Taranaki start line, she said.
‘‘It goes to show that the word is still spreading and that people are really keen to get themselves healthy,’’ Ngarewa-Packer said.
Of those involved, many of them were taking part in IronMaori for the first time, she said. It is the third year the event has been held in Hawera, after two years in Waitara.
Ngarewa-Packer said IronMaori was a unique event that provided a chance for people to get off the couch and become more active. ’’We don’t know of any other preventative kaupapa like this,’’ she said.
She believed the focus on wellbeing was what attracted people to it. ’’I think it’s because from the word go, all shapes and sizes are made to feel very comfortable.’’
She said another thing she had noticed from the sidelines on Saturday was the strides returning participants had made in terms of their fitness.
People new to swimming had improved their technique and those who used to only be able to walk had stepped up to jogging pace.