Budding athletes and future athletes gave it their all when the Weet-Bix TRYathlon returned to Christchurch for the first time since Covid hit.
Thousands of families flocked to Jellie Park in Burnside on Sunday morning to take part in the sold-out Sanitarium event, where 2,100 participants aged between 6 and 15 tried their hand at a sport.
The TRYathlon is suitable for all fitness levels, with a focus on participating and trying. The participants swim, bike and run their way through age-appropriate courses.
It is the first year since 2020 that the popular triathlon series will continue Covid limits.
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Sanitarium general manager Rob Scoines estimated that there were 6,000 to 7,000 supporters to cheer on their siblings, daughters, sons and grandchildren at the finish.
“The kids cross the line very happy,” he said.
It was a great way to “bring the community together” while also inspiring kids to “try it”.
“You see them doing that, stepping out of their comfort zone — it’s a good challenge for them.”
ALDEN WILLIAMS/Stuff
Around 2100 participants swam, cycled and ran around Christchurch’s Jellie Park to complete the Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon on Sunday.
Supporters included some successful Kiwi athletes who hung medals around the necks of participants, including All Blacks George Bower and Sevu Reece and New Zealand triathlete Andrea Hansen.
Scoine celebrated his 31st year and said the children of former contestants were now crossing the finish line.
A mother who was one of the first to participate in the inaugural event 31 years ago was back on Sunday to present a medal to her daughter.
The woman’s father was present when she ran it, and was there again on Sunday — this time for his granddaughter’s first time participating, Scoine said.
delivered
Waimairi Primary School student Tyson Scott shows off his third Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon medal.
“It’s a nice little family story.”
Starting in 1992 with just 500 participants, the Sanitarium Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon is now the largest triathlon series in the world for children under the age of 16, with more than 460,000 participants over three decades.
Waimairi Primary School pupil Tyson Scott said his legs were “really tired” after completing his third Weet-Bix TRYathlon on Sunday.
Participating with like-minded friends, he said the best part of the day was “everything”.
ALDEN WILLIAMS/Stuff
The event started in 1992 but could not continue in 2021 or 2022 due to Covid-19.
“Everyone should do them because they’re really fun.”
What led him to go back for more was the “running and swimming – and medals”.
Mother Kellie Scott said he didn’t do weekend sports, opting instead to do events like the upcoming McDonald’s Youth Duathlon and NZHL XRace.
This season there will be twelve TRYathlon events in 11 regions.