Multisport: Merger creates festival for all

Rotorua has cemented its place as one of New Zealand's leading multisport destinations, with news the Rotorua Half Ironman and the Contact Tri Series will combine in December create a festival of triathlon.

The Rotorua Half Ironman is traditionally in mid-December every year, while the Contact Tri Series usually kicks off its summer season with racing in Rotorua in November.

This year, the two events will be at Rotorua's Blue Lake (Tikitapu) on Saturday, December 15. Rotorua District Council community and major events co-ordinator Kylie Lang said the two events complemented each other.

That means there would be an event to interest everyone, from participants to spectators.

"The area around the Blue Lake is becoming internationally renowned as a leading triathlon and multisport destination that offers clear clean water, quality road and mountainbike rides, and fantastic running trails through native bush.

"The Contact Tri Series offers an event distance to suit every age and ability, while the Rotorua Half Ironman provides a good challenge for those wanting to step up to a greater distance, or to train for some of the longer distance events in the new year.

"We know there are hundreds of participants who come back to both of these events every year, and now they will go away with an even greater experience, surrounded by the buzz and excitement that the expanded festival will bring," Ms Lang said.

Rotorua Half Ironman organiser Steve Nicholls said the Contact Tri Series events would be an exciting addition for Half Ironman participants and spectators.

"The cycle leg of the Rotorua Half Ironman takes participants on a 90km return ride out of Rotorua and towards Whakatane.

"Now, supporters of the Half Ironman will be able to cheer on those in the Contact Tri Series while they wait, or even enter an event themselves.

"We think the Half Ironman will also provide a new goal for a number of those participating in the Contact Tri Series. Some of the people who complete the Half Ironman are truly inspiring and we're sure that others will want to take that next step as a result of watching the event on the day," Mr Nicholls said.

Tri NZ event manager Kate Blood said the Contact Tri Series team was looking forward to working with the Rotorua Half Ironman to create a festival of triathlon in Rotorua.

"The day will have a race to suit everyone, young and old, new and experienced, including the children's 1:2:1, the 3:9:3, Sprint race and the Half Ironman.

"It's going to be a fantastic day of triathlon, and we're encouraging people to bring their families and a picnic and to make a day of it," Ms Blood said.

Ms Lang said the council would work alongside the two event organisers and local community to ensure the festival was a success, both for the organisers and for the region as a whole.

"This is a good example of a major event that makes a significant contribution to the local Rotorua economy. "A large proportion of those racing this year will be coming from outside Rotorua, and will stay, play and shop in our communities while they are here. At the same time, these events offer an awesome opportunity for local residents to make the very most of what our region has to offer."

For further information about the Rotorua Half Ironman, go to www.half.co.nz and for information about the Contact Tri Series, go to www.triseries.co.nz.