Lomu Gives Weet-Bix Kids Tryathlon Heavy-Weight Support

Lomu Gives Sanitarium Weet-Bix Kids Tryathlon Heavy-Weight Support

New event for Rotorua this year

The 2014 Sanitarium Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon has heavy-weight support this year, with rugby legend Jonah Lomu signing on as ambassador for the world’s largest sporting event for children.

Since 1993, more than 260,000 kids have participated in the annual Sanitarium Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon, and now entries are open for a new group of Manukau youngsters to stand up and take part in the Manukau event at Mountford Park, Manurewa on Wednesday 4th December 2013, the first of 14 events nationwide.

Silver Ferns legend Temepara Bailey will be attending the Manukau event this year to support and encourage the kids to give it a try.

In its 22nd year the series, which has become a rite of passage for many New Zealand children, is ensuring more Kiwi kids can take part by adding Rotorua to the circuit for the first time.
After the success of Gisborne as an addition to the series last year, the team behind the series said the decision to include the central North Island city was an easy one.

Pierre van Heerden, General Manager for Sanitarium Health and Wellbeing Company said: “The Sanitarium Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon is about giving it a go and giving it your all – whatever that means for you. The TRYathlons are fun for the whole family; the atmosphere and crowd on the day is great, so we are thrilled to bring an event to Rotorua.

“We are also excited to have Jonah on board this year as an ambassador. If the Sanitarium Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon is all about giving it your all, then Jonah is the embodiment of this. He knows how tough things can get and he always keeps going. Every year, children come to these events with the same mentality and it is inspiring to see our youngsters get involved.”

Former All Black Jonah Lomu said: “The attitude that prevails at every Sanitarium Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon is one of giving-it-a-go. This message is so essential for our children and one that I wholeheartedly believe in. I am thrilled to be a part of such a Kiwi institution, and I can’t wait to meet and cheer on our young athletes.”

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

Kiwi kids can enter the Sanitarium Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon as individuals, or in a team of two. The Sanitarium Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon events has a limited number of places available, so schools and individuals who want to be involved should get in as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

The Weet-Bix Foundation will continue through the 2013-2014 series to ensure even more children can take part in the Sanitarium Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon. Teachers and community leaders can apply for support from the Foundation on behalf of a child between the ages of 7 to 15. The Weet-Bix Foundation provides worthy nominees with a subsidy of Sanitarium Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon entry fees, or a subsidy of necessary equipment to complete the event.

The swim-bike-run events kick off in Manukau on December 4, and run through summer until the Auckland North Shore event on April 4. Distances differ depending on the age of the child entered.

Registrations for the 2013-2014 Sanitarium Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon Series and nominations for Weet-Bix TRYathlon Foundation can be completed online at http://tryathlon.weetbix.co.nz/ or by calling 09 531 5080.

Locations and dates:
Manukau Wednesday 4 December 2013 Mountford Park, Manurewa
Rotorua Sunday 8 December 2013 Kuirau Park, Rotorua
Hamilton Sunday 9 February 2014 Waikato University Grounds, Hamilton
Hastings Wednesday 12 February 2014 Frimley Park, Hastings
St Heliers Sunday 16 February 2014 Vellenoweth Green, St Heliers
Gisborne Wednesday 19 February 2014 Nelson Park, Gisborne
Tauranga Sunday 23 February 2014 Memorial Park, Tauranga
Dunedin Sunday 2 March 2014 Memorial Park, Mosgiel
Christchurch Sunday 9 March 2014 Jellie Park, Christchurch
Nelson Sunday 16 March 2014 Tahunanui Reserve, Nelson
Wellington Sunday 23 March 2014 Kilbirnie, Wellington
Palmerston North Wednesday 26 March Fitzherbert Park, Manawatu
New Plymouth Wednesday 2 April Ngamotu Beach Reserve, New Plymouth
North Shore Sunday 6 April 2014 Narrowneck Beach, North Shore

ENDS

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