World’s Largest Children’s Tryathlon Returns

Media Release
25 August 2009

World’s Largest Children’s Tryathlon Returns To Manukau

The Weet-Bix Tryathlon event will be returning to Manukau this year on Wednesday 9 December.

Last year more than 500 local kids aged 7 to 15 years participated in the inaugural Manukau Weet-Bix Tryathlon at Mountford Park, Manurewa.

The Manukau event launched the 2009 Weet-Bix Tryathlon series, which continued to attract almost 19,000 Kiwi kids to one of the 11 events across New Zealand.

The 2009 series successfully broke the record for being the largest children’s sporting event in the world, as verified by the International Triathlon Union.

Weet-Bix Product Manager, Claire Richardson, says her team is looking forward to returning to Manukau at the end of 2009.

“We can’t wait to bring the event back to Manukau for the second year, and this time we are aiming to get up to 2,000 local children involved,” says Ms Richardson.

"Last year the behaviour, positive attitudes and enthusiasm shown by the children participating was spectacular; the atmosphere was really special.

“We’re encouraging schools to mark the 2009 event in their diaries now so they have plenty of time to train and prepare for the event.”

The 2008 Weet-Bix Tryathlon in Manukau received great support from the Manukau City Council. Chief Executive of Counties Manukau Sport, Russell Preston, says the Weet-Bix Tryathlon in Manukau provided the opportunity for local schools to further encourage students to lead healthy and active lives.

“I believe the Weet-Bix Tryathlon provides a fun way for local kids to get physically active,” says Mr Preston.

This year the Manukau City Council will be showing their support for the event again by releasing 4000 discount vouchers later in the year offering $15 off the registration cost. The first 1000 people to register with these vouchers will receive the discount.

The Weet-Bix Tryathlon is all about giving it a go, and all 2009 participants will receive a race pack including a race t-shirt, a swim cap, a race number and a medal at the end of the event for their efforts.

Over the past 17 years more than 190,000 New Zealand children have taken part in a Weet-Bix Tryathlon event.

ENDS

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