The world's largest sporting event for children, the Sanitarium Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon is turning 20 years old, and Kiwi kids aged between 7 – 15 years are invited to register for the 2012 series to be part of the sporting history.
During the past 20 years more than 220,000 New Zealanders have participated in a TRYathlon, and the event has launched the careers of countless home-grown sporting stars including cyclist Alison Shanks and triathletes Debbie Tanner and Andrea Hewitt.
The 2012 Sanitarium Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon series will travel to 12 different towns and cities across New Zealand, starting with the Manukau launch event on Wednesday 7 December 2011, and finishing in Tauranga on Sunday 1 April 2012.
Phil Irons, from Sanitarium Weet-Bix, says the event has had a fantastic 20 years in New Zealand encouraging Kiwi kids to get active and give a national sporting event a go.
"The Sanitarium Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon has become a New Zealand icon since its inception 20 years ago, and hundreds of thousands of young New Zealanders have experienced the joy and pride of crossing the event finish line to receive a medal for their efforts," says Irons.
"We would like to see past and present participants alike come along to their local TRYathlon to join us in celebrating the event's 20th birthday and cheer on the next generation of Weet-Bix kids."
The TRYathlon event course is based on a small scale triathlon and kids can participate as individuals or with the support of a tag-team of two or three friends.
With 20 years experience in running a safe and enjoyable event, parents and participants can enjoy a stress-free day knowing trained volunteers are stationed throughout the course, and lifeguards are on hand to assist with the swim leg.
Every child who registers for the event receives a race-pack including a Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon race t-shirt, swim cap for all swimmers, an official race number, and a gold medal upon completing the event.
Families and school groups can nominate kids who require financial support in entering the event through the Sanitarium Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon Foundation, which aims to provide kids of all backgrounds with the opportunity to participate in a TRYathlon event.
The Sanitarium Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon Foundation provides funding towards the entry fee as well as assistance with necessary equipment and support to complete the event such as running shoes or swimming lessons.
To register for the Sanitarium Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon or to nominate a child for the Sanitarium Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon Foundation, please visit www.weetbix.co.nz or phone 09 531 5080.
