Gave it a try

DOING IT TOGETHER: A couple of mates run out of the sea and towards the transition area, with The Golden Princess cruise ship in the background, at the Sanitarium Weet-Bix Tryathlon here yesterday. Pictures by Rebecca Grunwell and Liam Clayton

More than 1100 young people took part in the 2019 Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon at Churchill Park yesterday.

For the second running, the event included a beach swim at Midway Beach, a cycle along Centennial Marine Drive and a run around Churchill Park.

The Golden Princess cruise ship, anchored in Turanganui-a-Kiwa/Poverty Bay, set the scene for the Gisborne leg of the nationwide series, which featured 18 events for 2018-2019.

Event ambassadors included former surfing professional Maz Quinn, of Gisborne, who was amazed at the large turnout of young people.

“I didn’t realise how big this was,” he said.

Quinn, the first New Zealander to make the world championship tour, shared some advice with youngsters about what motivated him to work towards being at the top of his sport.

“I just had a burning desire to be the best.”

He encouraged the TRYathletes to do their best.

“Just go out there, go hard and have fun.”

Former triathlon professional and long-time supporter of the Weet-Bix TRYathlon Stephen Sheldrake said it was a great opportunity for kids to experience a multi-discipline event, and could lead to bigger things for some of them.

First-time TRYathletes Te Urumingi Ria and Whakaki Te Ua-Collins, of Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Horouta Wananga, were excited to be taking part in the 7 to 10 years teams’ event.

“Our team is called Mako Mahora,” said Te Urumingi, who completed the swim and run.

When his teammate Whakaki finished his cycle and run, all he wanted to do was “have a kai, and a swim at the beach”.

Schools throughout the district were represented on the day.

Mangapapa won the prize for the largest school group entered, Motu had the largest percentage of a school roll participating and Te Kura Reo Rua o Waikirikiri and Wainui Beach School won random prize draws.

There will be two picture pages from the event in The Gisborne Herald on Friday.