Three generations of a well-known Wairarapa sporting family, the Tatanas, took part in the Go For Your Life women's triathlon staged by Sport Wellington-Wairarapa in Masterton on Sunday.
Former Wairarapa netball coach Shirley Tatana, her daughters Sydney Cunningham and Tunis Cook, and her 14-year-old granddaughter Elleshia Clarkson were among the record298 competitors in an event which was based around the Queen Elizabeth Park area and saw individuals and three-woman teams complete a 2.3km run or walk, 13km cycle ride and 175m swim.
For Shirley Tatana, who has just celebrated her 67th birthday, the first inkling she may be part of the action came while she was watching the 2009 edition.
"I was amazed how everyone just gave it a go, and looked to be having so much fun.," she said. "Nobody seemed too worried about fast they were, how flash their bike was or how they looked in togs ... now I've done my first triathlon, I'm hooked and will definitely be back next year."
Shirley Tatana contested the run-walk and swim legs of the teams event, with daughter Sidney doing the cycle leg while both Tunis and Elleshia competed as individuals.
With the emphasis on participation rather than than results, only spot prizes were up for grabs in the triathlon, but there was plenty of serious endeavour and the first home was Gemma Buchanan in a time of 43m 57s. Finishing times ranged from there through to 1h 8m.
