UPDATED 8.02AM: Athletes are making their way to the biking leg of the Port of Tauranga Half Ironman.

This is the second leg of the race after thousands of competitors took part in a swim at Pilot Bay this morning.

Graham O'Grady first out of the water in the elite men's section of the triathlon.

Gina Crawford was the first woman out of the water.

Stewart Montgomery, from Mount Maunganui, starting the bike leg of the race.

Earlier:

Thousands of athletes, supporters and spectators are in full force at Mount Maunganui this morning for the Port of Tauranga Half Ironman, Tauranga's biggest sporting event.

Celebrating its 26th year in existence the race, which started at 6.30am, sees individual competitors and teams cover a 2km swim, 90km bike and 21km run.

Organisers say the lead competitors are all out of the water and moving onto the bike leg, with an expected finish time of about 10am.

'There is a bit of rain but it is good conditions for a triathlon. The teams are currently in the water and it's all looking pretty good.”

'We have just over 1000 competitors so we are pretty happy with the numbers.”

Road closures for the event:

Road Closures begin in Mount Maunganui today in preparation for today's Port of Tauranga Half Iron Man.

The following roads will be closed until 5pm:

Salisbury Wharf car park entire car parking area, Salisbury Avenue from Victoria Road to The Mall, and The Mall from Salisbury Avenue to Prince Avenue are closed.

Access to the Pilot Bay boat ramp is closed, with the closure of The Mall from Prince to Adams Avenues. The Mall and the boat ramp are expected to re-open at 2pm today.

Also closed are: Adams Avenue from The Mall to Adams Avenue, Marine Parade from Adams Avenue to Oceanbeach Road, Oceanbeach Road from Marine Parade to Yale Street, Yale Street from Oceanbeach Road to Maranui Street.

Roads may open earlier depending on progress of the event.

Competitors have started the 26th annual Port of Tauranga Half Iron Man.