Grassroots Triathlon returns another year

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One of Tauranga's favourite grass-roots triathlon events has returned for another year.

The Classic Builders Tinman Triathlon takes place from 7am tomorrow in Mount Maunganui.

Organiser Paul Miller says no matter the distance, participants can enjoy a flat, fast, picturesque course in the Mount Maunganui area.

'The event is a bit of a precursor that people use to warm up for the Tauranga Half Marathon in January.

'It uses a similar path of the Mount which generates some interest from people planning to enter that event.”

The triathlon, which has been around about 30 years, will follow the same course everyone has grown to love, barring a few changes, says Paul.

'But primarily it's the same as usual.”

The standard course kicks off with a swim at Pilot Bay, followed by a run around the base of Mauao to the end of Marine Parade and back to Pilot Bay, then a 40km cycle.

The sprint and para-tri run courses also involve a Pilot Bay Swim, followed by a run around the base track of Mauao and back to Pilot Bay, then a 20km cycle.

The event also includes a short course and a splash'n'dash courses.

He says the weekend is a big one as it marks the national standard-distance championship and the para-tri championship, both of which have been incorporated into the race.

In 2017, ownership rights to the event were handed over from Triathlon New Zealand, the club's national body, to the Tauranga club. This year marks the second time the club has run it.

'A lot of people appreciate this is a locally-owned and run event.

'Most of the feedback we got last year was that people really enjoyed this was a grass-roots event.

'Although we have to have an element of competitiveness, it is at the end of the day just a fun event for members of the wider Bay of Plenty to join in on.

'Without events on in our city no one visits, and there isn't a lot to do here, so as a club and a non-profit organisation we have to run these kinds of events to keep the community thriving.”

The event is one of many organised and hosted by the club including the Eves Surfbreaker Triathlon, Generation Homes Women's Triathlon and the Marra Sprint.

'Classic Builders partnered with us last year and they've continued that again.

'They have primarily sponsored it but we've also had some assistance from other funding partners like Pub Charities and the Tauranga City Council events team.”

Alongside financial aid the event is also well-supported by a number of volunteers within Tauranga including 30 members from Triathlon Tauranga as well as about 80 more people from Future Gymnastics Tauranga, Bay Dragons teams, and students from Mount Maunganui and Aquinas College.

'Without them we wouldn't have an event.”

Paul says despite the grim weather outlook, the event is likely to go ahead rain, hail or shine, with some changes planned if necessary.

'It really just depends on what happens on the day. We have options, but it would take a lot for the event to be completely cancelled.”

For more information on the Classic Builders Tinman Triathlon visit the Triathlon Tauranga website.

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