One of New Zealand's most iconic triathlon events will see weekend warriors and beginners take park in the Tinman Triathlon at Pilot Bay in December.

Organisers say there will be distances and events to suit any level of fitness.

Triathlon planned for Pilot Bay in December.

The draw card event will be the Olympic Standard distance event which includes a 1500m swim, 40km cycle and a 10km run.

This event is open to individuals and teams and is a great build up event for those doing the Port of Tauranga Half on January 5th, organisers say.

The Tinman Olympic Standard distance event also includes an elite race which will have over $3500 worth of prize money up for grabs.

Last year's champions were Callum Millward in the men section and Samantha Warriner in the women's.

The Tinman also includes a sprint distance event which is half the distance of the Olympic Distance event.

With a 750m swim, 20km bike and 5.5km run, this event is perfectly suited to beginners, aspiring young triathletes or those after shorter hit out, organisers say.

Like the longer Olympic Standard distance event the Sprint event is open to individuals or teams.

The Sprint distance also doubles as the Craigs Corporate Challenge, an event for businesses where three members from the same company do one of the three legs (750 swim, 20km cycle or 10km run) of the Sprint event.

This year's course is the same as 2011 with the clockwise swim course in Pilot Bay, a cycle which takes competitors out and back along Marine Parade, Ocean Beach Rd and Maranui St before turning at Pacific View Rd and returning.

Once returning to transition athletes will head out on a run along Pilot Bay and the Mall before heading out along Marine Parade to Tay St before turning and heading back for a trip around the Mount Base track before finishing back on the Mall.

Sprint distance athletes will miss Marine Parade and go straight on to the Mount as part of the 5.5km run.

For more information or to register for the 2012 Tinman Triathlon visit www.tinmantriathlon.co.nz