Hundreds of people travelled to Napier from all over the country to compete in a relaxed and supportive triathlon event this morning.
Nearly 2000 people were expected at the IronMaori Quarter with half coming from outside Hawke's Bay.
The IronMaori events were created by Pakipaki woman Heather Skipworth in 2009 to provide a safe and non judgmental challenge for people wanting to exercise.
IronMaori Quarter was made up of a 1km swim around Pandora Pond, a 45km cycle ride heading north on Meeanee Quay to the Expressway and south through Prebensen Dr and Church Rd to Fernhill and back through the Pandora Industrial area, and a 10.5km run/walk on a course around the Ahuriri Estuary.
Those in the individual event, completing all three stages, started at 7am and had six hours to complete the course before it closed at 1pm. The teams event, with one member for each section, also started at 7am, on the cycle course.
Three Department of Corrections employees, Tuhoro Haua, Trish Hinaki and Hohi Rangi, from Wellington, competed as the Loose Screws team for the first time.
Ms Rangi, who cycled, said the group decided to enter to build up comraderie within their workplace in a relaxed atmosphere.
"It was awesome, a good friendly atmosphere.
"It's just a wonderful feeling when you finish."
They had a few supporters come up to yell encouragement from the sidelines and they have been convinced to take part next year, she said.
Ms Hinaki, who was swimming and has competed separately before, said the great thing about the event was that it encouraged people to be healthy and exercise without a focus on time.
That's why we entered, to promote health, and have a bit of fun doing it in a comfortable and encouraging environment.
"You don't have to be young or fit.
"As long as you're putting one foot in front of the other."
The group will spend the weekend in Hawke's Bay and plan to go to a F.A.W.C! Food and Wine Classic event tomorrow.
Papakura Marae sent three teams and one individual down from Auckland as part of their wellness initiative.
One of the cyclists, Hine Joyce-Tahere, said this trip was part of their programme to encourage healthy living at the marae.
"Anything we can do to encourage health is positive."
The event was great and having so many people trying so hard made her want to push herself more while on the course, she said.
"It was awesome.
"Something like this is great, there's all sorts of sizes, shapes and ages."
The triathlon was different to other similar events she had done in the past in that it was more encouraging and more relaxed, she said.
June Norris, of Wairoa, was joined by five other members of her family from Rotorua to take part in two teams for the event.
"My daughter and I have done it for the last five years and we roped in some more family members this time."
At the end of each event Ms Norris completes she vows not to do it again because, despite being fun, it is tiring, however, she always comes back because of the great vibe, she said.
"The atmosphere is awesome, everyone is supportive."
They all enjoyed themselves because they did not have to worry about how fast they were going, she said.
"We're completers not competers [sic]."
For many of the participants it was a warm up for the eighth IronMaori Half Ironman in Napier on December 2.
IronMaori Kaumatua, for competitors over 55, was held at Pandora Pond yesterday.