By Kent Gray/Triathlon. kiwi
There’s a fresh event coming up that’s perfect for elite triathletes, age groupers, and a rare chance for young athletes to show off in front of Tri NZ scouts.
That’s just one of the cool things about this “split-triathlon” happening at the first-ever Cambridge Festival of Sports next month – it’s part of a four-day mix of sports and music with a charity twist.
Local organizer Alwyn Poole put together the festival, running November 23-26, aiming to get people of all ages excited about sport and fun while raising money for I AM Hope through Gumboot Friday, which supports youth mental health and is backed by comedian Mike King.
Several members from Tri NZ’s elite and development squads are expected to compete in the shorter swim, run, and bike events set for November 24-25 – starting with swimming on Friday night then running and time trial cycling on Saturday.
While it’s great news for pros and weekend warriors alike, what really has Chris Willett excited is the junior races.
Tri NZ’s Athlete Development Manager says the under-14 races offer a rare chance to spot talent without all the usual race day distractions. The same goes for teens competing in older age or open categories.
“Tri NZ is very excited about the emergence of the Cambridge Festival of Sports and the chance it offers to identify new athletes that could potentially feed into our Junior Development Pathway,” Willett said.
“We often see the variables of a stock-standard triathlon race day have an impact on results. With the split-triathlon, it’s an opportunity to race the clock in each discipline… it really will be the ‘race of truth’ times three.
“It’s a format that allows a clear look at each individual discipline and could open our eyes to widening our net of talented junior athletes. We certainly hope it does and encourage all budding triathletes, regardless of their experience, to come and give the racing a go.”
The split tri kicks off at Perry Aquatic Centre in Cambridge on Friday night (Nov. 24) with timed freestyle swims – 200m for U14s and 400m for everyone older including elites.
The next morning (Nov. 25), Cambridge Raceway hosts the runs – 2.2km from 9am for U14s followed by a 5km run for adults. Competitive adult races start later at 10:45am for women and 11:15am for men after an earlier adult fun run over 5km from 8am.
The final part is at APL Hautapu where there’ll be time trial bike rides: 4.8km for U14s and 20.6km for adults.
You can find all details about this split-tri right on the official Cambridge Festival of Sports website HERE.
“It could even appeal to younger athletes who have until now been solely focused on just swimming, cycling or running,” Willett added.
“This is your chance to give triathlon a go in easily manageable chunks and you never know where it could lead. At the very least, you’ll have a lot of fun participating and taking in the other Cambridge Festival of Sports events. It’s really a ‘can’t lose’ long weekend of sport and entertainment.”
The festival truly offers something almost everyone can enjoy including pool parties with swimming events, hole-in-one golf challenges, rowing machine competitions (‘erg-off’), goal kicking contests, even trout fishing! Plus they’ve brought in New Zealand Cross Fit Championships happening at Grassroots Trust Velodrome on November 25-26 too.
The whole thing kicks off Thursday evening November 23 with a dinner held at Tieke Golf Estate celebrating Rod Dixon – who won New York Marathon back in ’83.
On Friday night comes Mike King’s ‘Gumboot Friday Concert,’ featuring acts like The Feelers plus Jason Kerrison – singer-songwriter-producer formerly fronting Op Shop who has multiple platinum awards under his belt.
If you want tickets to either Rod Dixon Dinner or family-friendly alcohol-free Gumboot Friday Concert happening at Glowbox Arena (Claudelands Hamilton), you can grab them through those highlighted links above.
The festival also includes some special ‘Run-4-Good’ & ‘Cycle-4-Good’ events-Run being self-timed options over distances like 10k up to full marathon held Nov.25 between dawn & noon either around Cambridge Raceway or anywhere else across New Zealand if uploaded onto Strava as proof.
Cyclists get similar options ranging from40k up to160k ride anytime Nov19-25 anywhere nationwide again verified via Strava upload. You’re even encouraged if already signed up Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge same date, to join virtual Cam ride help raise funds. It counts!
You can pick whichever charity means most when registering via these Give-a-Little pages linked here:
Run-4-Good Give-a-Little
Cycle-4-Good Give-a-Little
