Commonwealth and Olympic Games middle distance runner Nikki Hamblin, who is involved this year as an event ambassador, said, “this is where it all starts”.
She grew up in the United Kingdom, where there were no events like this for kids with an emphasis on fun and a taste of competitive athletic involvement, she said.
Lytton High School sports co-ordinator Eugene Paea has been a supporter of the event since it began operating in Gisborne.
“This is a great event for our community, as students can compete in teams or as individuals, and it encourages participation from all corners of the community,” he said.
Waerenga o Kuri schhool students yelled an enthusiastic “yes” when asked if they thought it was a good event. One student hoped it would keep going for “100 years”.
On crossing the finish line, Kingi Rakuraku and Karauria Ruwhiu, from Te Kura Kaupapa Maori O Nga Uri A Maui, said the event was “mean”.
Both had taken part five times and said it got better every year. This year was the best because it was at the beach, Karauria said.
Nine-year-old Corann Fairburn, from Mangapapa School, said he had a great time and was definitely going to do it again.
Harriet Martin, who travelled from St Joseph’s School in Wairoa, said it was awesome and her favourite part was the cycle.
Another of the ambassadors, Olympic bronze medal-winning track cyclist and member of America’s Cup-winning Emirates Team New Zealand, Simon van Velthoven said, “for me it started 20 years ago competing in the TRYathlon in Wellington”.
“Events like this are where you learn about healthy competition, how to push yourself and have fun racing against your mates.”
In 1992, 800 students registered for the first TRYathlon. This year more than 30,000 registered.
