The world’s first indigenous-owned triathlon returns to Napier with over 1500 competitors aged 5 to 90. Photo / Paul Taylor
The world’s first indigenous-owned triathlon returns to Napier with over 1500 competitors aged 5 to 90. Photo / Paul Taylor
The world’s first indigenous-owned triathlon is returning to Ahuriri at the weekend, with more than 1500 competitors aged between 5 and 90.
Race director Donna Whitiwhiti, who has been involved since the beginning in 2009, said the event has grown from a local idea to promote health and wellbeingfor Māori into a movement that welcomes participants from across Aotearoa and beyond.
“This kaupapa embraces anyone and everyone that wants to give it a go ... it’s about what we can achieve and do it all together as one big whānau.”
The IronMāori Quarter and Half Triathlon will welcome about 1200 participants in Ahuriri on Saturday, preceded by the Tamariki, Rangatahi and Kaumātua races on Friday, with nearly 400 children, teenagers and elderly.
IronMāori 2025 will happen in Ahuriri on Friday and Saturday. Photo / Paul Taylor
Whitiwhiti said the event has changed thousands of lives over the years.
“One was Ashley Te Whare. He lost over 60kg while he was training. And he was there at the beginning of the kaupapa, back in those early days,” she said.
“His feedback was, ‘IronMāori saved my life. It helped me to develop an appreciation for myself and dared me to set goals I would never have dreamed possible’.”
Whitiwhiti says testimonials like this are always there, and the community “vibe” plays a pivotal role.
“It’s always been a great event. You never feel alone. The supporters are there cheering you on all the way. It’s a big day of celebrating what we can achieve together,” she says.
“You need to believe to achieve. So, we’re always pushing that, with everybody that’s sitting there thinking they can’t do it ... one foot in front of the other, and the next minute they’re at the finish line, getting their medal.”
