Super turnout for kids' TRYathlon

Rotorua's Gisele Howard, 9, with her medal from yesterday's Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon. Photo/Supplied.

Rotorua children having a go at the Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon got a triple surprise yesterday when they were cheered on by two New Zealand Olympians and a world champion.

The Olympians - Kawerau's Sarah Walker and Whakatane's Mahe Drysdale - and Rotorua's own Xterra world champion Oliver Shaw, made the trip to Kuirau Park to give their support to the event.

Nearly 700 Rotorua children between the ages of 7 and 15 took on the swim, bike, run event at the Aquatic Centre and around Kuirau Park. It was the first such event held in the city after being run around the country in the past.

Sport Bay of Plenty's Jeni Nunn said it was a great day and the turnout of 682 kids was awesome.

"I spoke to the Weet-bix people afterward and they were absolutely blown away with the level of support.

"We were hoping for 600, so to get 680 was excellent," Mrs Nunn said.

Participant Gisele Howard, 9, said she completed the swim, bike and run by herself.

"It was really tiring. Everyone got a medal for finishing ... Sarah Walker gave me my medal. It was pretty cool."

Her mother, Rebecca, said it was the most professionally run event she had been to.

"They had about 200 volunteers, it was excellent.

"We always went to Tauranga to do their event so it was really good to have it here in Rotorua.

"The event location was amazing too," Mrs Howard said.