Duathlon: Another feather in Western Bay cap

Mount local Rebecca Kingsford will be hard to beat at tonight's New Zealand Aquathlon Championships. Photo / File

Another first for the Western Bay of Plenty takes place from 5pm tonight at Pilot Bay.

The Jennian Homes New Zealand Aquathlon Championships will be staged at the picturesque location by Team Shorebreak Inc Aquatic Sports and Triathlon Club.

Previously the event has been held in Nelson but this is a great opportunity for Mount Maunganui to further establish itself as New Zealand's premier duathlon and triathlon location.

Two race distances are on offer - a 500m swim and 2.5km run around Mauao for young participants aged between 11 and 15 years and the full 1km swim and 5km run for those 16 years and over.

For the serious athletes the race doubles as a selection event for the World Aquathlon Championships to be held in Edmonton, Canada as part of the World Triathlon Championships in September 2014.

Event organiser Sheryl McLay says she is expecting a top class field with competitors for Sunday's Tinman Triathlon expected to take part. Registration for the races opens at 3pm today at Pilot Bay.

"We have had entries from Rebecca Kingsford, who is a Team Shorebreak triathlete, and Nicole Van der Kaay from Taupo who is one of the under-19 elite girls.

"It is important we get a big field so we can retain hosting this event for the next few years."

Triathlon New Zealand CEO Craig Waugh is looking forward to a new venue and the new support of Jennian Homes in a growing aspect of the sport.

"Aquathlon or swim-run events are very popular in Europe and of course many people will be familiar with events of this nature around New Zealand," Waugh said.

"The ITU recognises Aquathlon with a world championship race each year so it is only natural that we want to offer a well run event to act as our National Champs and qualifier for the World Championships. With the support of Jennian Homes, a stunning venue and a great local organising team, the event is in great hands."