New triathlon for Marton

Mitre 10 Marton's Terry Ellery and Rebecca Gray with Sport Whanganui's Marie Kinloch after the announcement of a new Marton Triathlon.

There will be a new multisport event in the Rangitikei this coming March as the Mitre 10 Marton Triathlon will be established to increase interest in the sport in the wider region.

Marton's own triathlon, organised by Sport Whanganui, will held on March 5, and will be open to individuals and teams.

The venue for the event and the specific age groups have yet to be determined.

In a press release, Sport Whanganui said the Marton event will be ideal buildup for young competitors who are entering the David Jones Suzuki New Zealand Secondary Schools Tri Championships on March 30-31.

Sport Whanganui are hosting the school championships alongside the Wanganui Triathlon
Club.

The Marton race is hoped to become a fixture for at least the next three years, with Mitre 10 signing on as naming rights sponsor for that timeframe.

"The establishment of the triathlon is to provide the community and region an opportunity to participate in a growth sport on their own doorstep," said the Sport Whanganui release.

"Mitre 10 Marton and Sport Whanganui are working together to organise and promote this 'grass roots triathlon'."

Community sport advisor Marie Kinloch is excited at the prospect of community groups working together to establish the race and ensure it is sustainable.

"The event working group is eager to attract further volunteers and partner groups to help develop and run the event.

"On top of this Mitre 10 Marton and Sport Whanganui are open to working with a secondary sponsor who will be recognised through event promotion and on the event day."

For further information contact Marie Kinloch at marie@sportwhanganui.co.nz.