Whanganui all set for NZ Schools Triathlon champs

The Tauranga Triathlon Club team take a breather after returning to the Tri Hub from a training run on Wednesday.

"Bring it on" was the catchcry of David Jones Suzuki New Zealand Schools Triathlon Championships organiser Ellie Heenan as she prepared for the opening ceremony in Whanganui on Wednesday.

The event has attracted 606 athletes from throughout the country and this is Ms Heenan's first as an organiser.

"It's been hectic, but has gone relatively smoothly for my very first time as event organiser," she said from Tri Hub headquarters at Pakaitore (Moutoa Gardens) on Wednesday afternoon.

However, the Taupo visitor is a triathlete herself and that has helped immensely in the lead to to two days of competition beginning this morning.

"I've drawn on my knowledge of what is required as an athlete to bring this together, although it could not have happened without massive support from the large group of volunteers, Sport Whanganui and the Whanganui Multisport and Triathlon Club - bring it on is all I can say," Heenan said.

The Tri Hub went up in a matter of hours yesterday afternoon as athletes ranging in age between 10 and 18 trekked into the nearby Union Boat Club to register.

Many also took the time to stretch the muscles after their journey to the River City with training runs, cycles and even swims ahead of the 5pm official opening by Whanganui iwi performing a powhiri.

The events, starting at 8am today, include the individual triathlon, the team triathlon, the aquathlon duathlon and the team tag triathlon that replaces the open swim from previous championships.

Road closures began yesterday with a section of Somme Pde set aside as the transition area.

During the closures directional signs will be in place to show motorists alternative routes.

The road closures are:
* Taupo Quay between Bates St and Market St: today 5pm-8pm; and tomorrow 5pm-8pm.
* Taupo Quay between Drews Ave and Bates St: Today 7.30am-5pm; tomorrow 7.30am-5pm.
* Somme Pde between Bates St and Glasgow St: Today 7.30am-5pm.
* Somme Pde between Bates St and Dublin St: tomorrow 7.30am-5pm.
* Dublin St Bridge: Today 7.30am-5pm.