The Sovereign Tri Series which runs throughout the summer around the country, offers a chance for Kiwis, young and old and of any ability to have a go at a triathlon or duathlon.
And age and inexperience is no barrier for 10-year old Lily Pearce of Tauranga who has enteredthe Tri Tinman, which will be held at Pilot's Bay on Sunday.
Lily is a competitive swimmer for local swimming club, Otumoetai. The Pillans Point Primary School student is ranked in the top three for all events in the up-and-coming Bay of Plenty Junior swim championships in Rotorua next month and she is the current Bay of Plenty champion in freestyle and butterfly. The talented young athlete has also been a multiple Wellington swim champion in her age group.
The Wellingtonian turned Tauranga local (her family moved from the capital to the Bay of Plenty in January this year), has decided to push herself and do the Short Distance race in Mount Maunganui at the Sovereign Tri Series event.
"I did a 1:2:1 in Wellington two years ago and want to step up to the 3:9:3 since we are now living in Tauranga. My goal is to do my best and have fun. I want to be able to finish with a smile on my face. This event will be a great experience for me especially as I will be able to learn from other people. I am looking forward to the challenge of racing at the Mount in what is an awesome looking course".
Being able to race in her local area is appealing for Lily and she's really excited to give the longer distance race a decent shot.
"I really just want to do it for a bit of fun. It doesn't matter what I come I just want to have a go. I am up for the challenge and for the experience as well".
Lily's focus is very much fun and doing the best she can, but she is exactly the type of youngster - albeit at a slightly older age, that the sport is further encouraging into the sport with the National Talent Programme (NTP) and National Talent Squad (NTS).
For athletes to be competitive on the world stage, it is imperative that they are amongst the best in the country in disciplines such as swimming and running, with athletes such as Lily increasingly coming across from one of those sports to dip their toes in triathlon, helped all the more knowing that there is a clear and supportive pathway for young athletes to reach the top.
There's still time to sign up for Tri Tinman and entries are also accepted on the day. Registration is open from 4pm - 7pm on Saturday 28th November a Pilot Bay. On race day, registration is open from 6am, with late race entries being accepted from 6am -7am.
TRI TINMAN Pilot Bay, The Mall, Mount Maunganui
• The Splash 'n' Dash (100m swim and 1km run) - for 5 to 10 year olds • The Short Distance (300m swim, 9km bike, 3km run) - perfect for first timers and youth • The Sprint/Mid Distance (750m swim, 18km bike, 5.5km run) • The Standard Distance (1500m swim, 36km bike, 10km run )
