"It was fantastic to see the joy on people's faces as they came through the finish line. We hope that the positive feelings they experienced after participating in Whanau Tri may act as a spring board on their journey towards a more active, healthy style of life."
Over 200 participants from Palmerston North, Levin, Feilding and Pahiatua prepared for the event by taking part in Sport Manawatu's 10-week training programme.
The scheme was designed to give participants the skills and confidence they needed to complete the triathlon, as well as make sustainable lifestyle changes.
Bonnie Petersen took part in the programme and completed the long course at the Whanau Tri with her family.
"The programme improved my energy levels and made me more determined and motivated to exercise," she said. "It really gave me the confidence to just do it.
"Despite the programme finishing my family and I are still doing exercise regularly and plan to do other triathlons."
Mrs Petersen and her family are now preparing for the Waitarere Forest walk/ run and the Iron Maori triathlon.
"I would definitely do it again and encourage more people to do it as it has made a massive change in my life as I now live a healthier lifestyle."
On the day participants had the choice of completing either a short, medium or long course that consisted of swimming, biking and running.
