Awesome atmosphere at IronMaori

Nearly 2000 competed in the IronMaori Quarter in Napier on Saturday. Photo/Warren Buckland

Nearly 2000 people gathered in Napier to compete in the IronMaori Quarter triathlon event on Saturday.

The IronMaori events were created by Pakipaki woman Heather Skipworth in 2008 to provide a safe and non judgmental challenge for people wanting to exercise.

IronMaori Quarter was made up of a 1km swim, a 45km cycle and a 10.5km run/walk.

Mrs Skipworth said she was pleased to see regulars compete but also quite a few new people.

"It was good to see so many new faces come to IronMaori.

"People had come last year and watched and come back as a participant."

More than half of the entrants came from outside Hawke's Bay with one woman travelling from Wales, another from Canada and a few from Australia for the competition.

"For me it's quite humbling to know that all these people have come together from a little idea that I had to improve the health and wellbeing of Maori people.

"There are now also many Pakeha coming along which is a good thing, there's a myth out there that it's just for Maori."

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 camaraderie within their workplace in a relaxed atmosphere.

"It was awesome, a good friendly atmosphere.

"It's just a wonderful feeling when you finish."

Ms Hinaki, who was swimming, said the great thing about the event was that it encouraged people to be healthy and exercise without a focus on time.

"You don't have to be young or fit.

"As long as you're putting one foot in front of the other."

The group spent the weekend in Hawke's Bay and attended a F.A.W.C! Food and Wine Classic event yesterday.

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.

"Something like this is great, there's all sorts of sizes, shapes and ages."

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.

"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.

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 on Friday.

This year the Quarter was also included in a new Legend Series which also incorporates next month's Half and Tauranga's Enduro race in January.