Media Release
6 November 2008

First Ever Weet-Bix Tryathlon For Manukau

Local kids aged 7 to 15 years are invited to register for the inaugural Weet-Bix Tryathlon event in Manukau, to take place on Wednesday 10 December at Mountford Park in Manurewa.

The Manukau Tryathlon marks the end of a successful Tryathlon series in 2008 and launches the Weet-Bix Tryathlon season for 2009.

Weet-Bix senior brand manager, Tanne Andrews, says his team is extremely excited about being able to host the Tryathlon in Manukau for the first time ever.

“We have traditionally had two events in Auckland, one on the North Shore and the other in central Auckland,” says Mr Andrews.

“Attendance from South Auckland at these events has been limited over the years, with travel distance being the key barrier – prompting us to introduce the Manukau Tryathlon event.

“We are looking forward to working with the wider Manukau community and are delighted to have the Manukau City Council supporting the inaugural event by providing a very generous subsidy for every child who participates, enabling the Tryathlon registration fee to be reduced to $14.00.”

Chief Executive of Counties Manukau Sport, Russell Preston, says the Weet-Bix Tryathlon in Manukau will provide the opportunity for local schools to further promote physical activity and encourage participation from their students.

“Physical activity is seen to be the major health initiative to help change communities and health statistics,” says Mr Preston.

“By encouraging healthy choices and involvement in physical activity, research has shown the positive impact on communities with health, social and economic improvement. The Weet-Bix Tryathlon provides a fun way for local kids to get physically active.”

Famous Olympic champions including Valerie Vili and the Ever Swindell Twins will be attending the Manukau Tryathlon event this year to support and encourage participants.

Over the past 17 years more than 170,000 New Zealand children have taken part in a Weet-Bix Tryathlon event.

Mr Andrews says the Weet-Bix Tryathlon is suitable for children of all levels of sporting ability as it focuses on encouraging kids to participate, have fun and do their best.

“The events are well organised, with safety marshals and support crew working hard to ensure a stress-free experience for parents,” says Mr Andrews.

Kids can enter as individuals, in a team of two or three, or as a family. The Manukau Weet-Bix Tryathlon will be limited to 1,500 kids, so schools and individuals that want to be involved should get in quick to secure their place.

Every child who participates receives a race pack, a race T-shirt, a swim cap for all swimmers, a completion certificate and a medal.

The Weet-Bix Tryathlon Foundation was established last year to enable more children to take part in the Tryathlon series. The Foundation provides worthy nominees with a subsidy or complete funding of Weet-Bix Tryathlon entry fees, as well as a subsidy or complete funding of necessary equipment to complete the event.

Registrations for this event and nominations for Weet-Bix Tryathlon Foundation can be completed online at www.weetbix.co.nz

ENDS

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