New course pitched for Tga Half

The 2015 Port of Tauranga Half has launched today at Mount Maunganui with a massive twist or two in store for the 26th hosting of the iconic triathlon event.

The January event will feature a new, harder bike course and will be a part of the inaugural Mount Festival of Multisport.


A competitor at this year's Port of Tauranga Half.

The new festival will have the Port of Tauranga Half at its heart on the Saturday, surrounded by new events including the Weetbix Kids Tryathlon, a short distance triathlon event on the Friday, Splash and Dash, beach volleyball, water craft events, running races and a host of family friendly activity from music to food from January 9-11.

Event director Dave Mee says the aim is to create a festival of events and activity with something to suit everyone at one of New Zealand's most popular holiday destinations.

'The Mount Festival of Multisport will truly have something for everyone, from the triathlon participants in the Port of Tauranga Half, the Moana Tangaroa Classic 10k water craft race, the Splash and Dash, the Weetbix Tryathlon for the kids or for those who just want to soak it up and take it all in, we have the beach volleyball, food markets and plans to introduce a musical element to the weekend as well.” Dave says the Mount is the perfect place to develop the festival, rivalling events such as the Noosa Tri Festival and attracting thousands of national and international tourism.

As far as the Port of Tauranga Half goes, there is no one that knows the event better than Cameron Brown.

Perhaps the most durable long distance athlete on the planet and still one of the most competitive, the 42-year-old Aucklander will chase his 11th win on January 10, 2015.

'The Port of Tauranga Half has been part of my summer for 20 years, since back when I had no kids it has just been part of summer for me, a part of my build up to Ironman New Zealand.

'I wouldn't know what to do if I didn't have this race on the calendar, my normal training regime will continue, this is one of those races I look forward to every summer and getting on the start line.”

Proposed changes to the bike course are underway, and while the exact details cannot yet be released, organisers are working with the Tauranga City Council and stakeholder groups to take the bike over the Harbour Bridge for the first time, with a short lap coming back to Pilot Bay before participants head back out on the long lap via Greerton and Welcome Bay, returning to The Mount via Papamoa and Ocean Beach Road.

'The bike is going to be a big challenge, with a few more hills around the Welcome Bay area it looks a little like the old Tinman race from a long time ago that went through there,” says Cameron.

'It is more a strength course, not just flat out a 90k speed race and that will help lengthen things out – there will be no drafting on this course I reckon.”

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