Click the image above to view slideshow

‘Fitness freaks' or not, the Smith Sports Shoes Winter Duathlon Series invites people of all ages and abilities to slip on their sneakers and ‘give-it-a-go'.

About 45 children participated in the Smith Sports Shoes Winter Series this morning. Photos by: Cameron Avery.

That's according to Triathlon Tauranga club president Paul Miller, who is pleased with the number of participants in race one of the series at The Lakes this morning.

'We have about 80 people in the adult's races and about 45 in the children's races. That's good numbers.”

Organised by Triathlon Tauranga, the duathlon invites participants to complete one of three courses: a children's 500m, 3.5km bike and 500m run, a 1.5km run, 6.4km ride and 2.3km run – or a longer 3.2km run, variable km ride and 3.8km run.

'You don't have to be an elite racer or a fitness freak, it's for people of all shapes and sizes,” says Paul.

Bailey Heerdegen, age 3.

There are five events in the series, which are run every month until September.

Paul says some competitors treat the duathlon as training towards bigger events.

'A lot of participants will be going on to represent New Zealand later on in their chosen discipline, whether it's the world triathlon champs in Chicago or the duathlon champs in Adelaide.”

For results and more information about the winter series, visit www.triathlontauranga.org.nz