Festival brings competition, culture

Long distance triathlon stars Joanna Lawn and Cameron Brown support the launch of Tauranga's new multisport festival.PHOTO/ GEORGE NOVAK

The streets and surrounds of Mount Maunganui and beyond will come alive for three days in January when a new multisport festival is held.

The Mount Festival of Multisport, set to run from January 9-11, will combine a number of popular existing events into a long weekend of competition and culture that celebrates the best the city and sport have to offer.

New Zealand long distance national championship event Port of Tauranga Half is the headline event, but will receive a drastic overhaul in its 26th year following consultation between organisers, athletes and the relevant authorities.

Proposed changes to the swim and bike legs are intended to spice up the event and also make it more enjoyable for the athletes, with the proposed cycle leg especially embraced by a number of athletes at yesterday's media launch.

The plan before council includes details of a cycle leg that leads over the harbour bridge and along Takitimu Drive to Barkes Corner. Riders would then head for the back of Welcome Bay, before cycling through Papamoa on the way back to the Mount.

Only one lap is planned for the swim leg to prevent elite athletes competing for space with slower competitors.

Long distance triathlon legends Cameron Brown and Joanna Lawn welcomed the changes and the collaborative approach undertaken by event director Shanelle Barrett and SMC chief executive Dave Mee.

"It's great to be working with someone who actually listens and takes your feedback," said Lawn, who will not race in the event due to pregnancy.

"That's what we want - we want to make the event even better than it normally is.

"These events are life-changing. I've been doing this for 20 years."

Brown said the proposed changes to the cycle leg improved the event.

"It's going to be challenging and definitely better than the flat ride of 90km.

"I've been racing here since 1997 and it's always been out on that course."

Swirling around the showpiece will be an eclectic mix of competitions and events that should collectively benefit from the critical mass.

The Weet-Bix Kiwi Kid triathlon and the new Triathlon New Zealand Tag Champs are the other two cornerstones of the weekend.

A paddle boarding event, fun run, splash and dash and the New Zealand Beach Volleyball Champs could turn the event village and affiliated gourmet night market into a fixture of the summer social calendar.