Dash before the splash . . .
TIMARU COMES TO COMPETE
All age groups were catered for and entries did not disappoint the organisers of two days of multi sports events in Timaru at the weekend.
Organised by the South Canterbury Pacers Triathlon and Multi Sports Club, 66 children lined up on Saturday for a Kids’ Tryathlon while 77 older contestants fronted on Sunday for a triathlon or duathlon.
Club secretary/treasurer Corina Fellmann said the triathlon/ duathlon was a ‘‘neat course’’ including a beach swim of 750 metres at Caroline Bay, a 20-kilometre bike ride circuit up the Port Loop and Church St and a 5km run around the bay and Bay Hill area.
The children swam at CBay, ran and biked around the bay.
Club committee member Martina Wreford said it appeared a few children were put off the tryathlon due to Saturday’s wet weather but the numbers for the triathlon/duathlon were up on previous years. The course has been in place for four years and focused on the inner city.
‘‘This year we introduced a trya-tri which was a short distance for those wanting to have a go for the first time.’’
A highlight for many was the Stafford St cycle ride as spectators lined the street and piazza and customers in cafes could see what was happening, Wreford said.
‘‘It’s nice and fast and we have the road to ourselves.’’
She said the children had fun and it was great to see their smiling faces as they crossed the finish line. There were no winners as it was all about participation.
For the adults it was all about winning, with first male Janus Staufenberg and first female Pixie Cockerill both from the Canterbury Triathlon Youth Academy.
The best of the Timaru contestants were Jared Millar third overall, Martina Wreford second female and Ben Wreford winning the duathlon.