The House of Travel Triathlon Festival is back for 2013, offering athletes of all ages and abilities across New Zealand an exciting day packed full of events in Canterbury this November.
Now in its fourth year, the Triathlon Festival has proved to be a popular sporting event for hundreds of athletes, from those wanting to give a new sport a go coming into the summer months, right through to some of New Zealand's best triathletes looking to test their form at the beginning of a busy triathlon season. Whether you're a seasoned athlete or not, there is something for everyone.
The Festival will be held at the Pegasus Township on the outskirts of Christchurch on Sunday November 24th. The freshwater lake offers a safe open-water swimming venue along with many vantage points around the water's edge for spectators to watch the swim unfold. A slick, multi-lap cycle course winds its way through the town, with the added advantage of minimal traffic, while on the run competitors will circumnavigate the lake, utilizing the sealed lakeside running trail.
The Festival offers seven races over the course of the day:
Race 1 – "The Cequent Pegasus Classic Tri"
The classic will open the festival and is expected to draw the largest field of all events - there is a capacity of 225 participants. This race is targeted at anyone who has done a triathlon before; the distances include a 500m swim / 15km bike and a 5km run with the field broken into four wave starts.
Race 2 – "The Fendalton Eye Clinic Team Challenge"
A team triathlon made up of two or three people in either swim/bike/run or run/bike/run format with each team member doing one part of the race. The event is starting later in the morning which should allow for any individual competitors in the Classic Tri to just have enough time to double up and be a team swimmer as this is usually the hardest position to fill. The swim has been shortened to 350 metres and a corporate challenge section has also been added.
Race 3 - "The Sport Canterbury Terra Firma"
Not everyone is a fan of swimming so this event is a run/bike/run; the distances are 2.5km run / 15km bike / 5km run
Race 4 - "The 5km Loop the lake run (Run only)"
If you are not into swimming or cycling then the 5km run is for you.
Race 5 - "The Bikery Try a Tri"
This event is targeted at the novice athlete , for those stepping up from pool based triathlons and for juniors who are making the transition from shorter distances. The safe and sheltered waters of the man-made lake make this event ideal for anyone who wants the challenge of a triathlon but has been worried about swimming in the sea; the distances include a 150m swim / 10km bike / 2.5km run.
Race 6 - "The SBS Tri Kids Challenge"
An event for youngsters aged 9-13. The distances include 150m swim / 5 or 10km bike, (dependent on age) / 2.5km run.
Race 7 - "The Christchurch Casino - Elite Cup"
The elite cup will be the final event of the festival and is aimed at those triathletes who regularly finish within the top 15 overall in triathlons. See the best local and national triathletes take part in a draft legal high action race. This year will again see athletes racing back to back in a double super sprint triathlon with a handicap start. It's the men versus the women. The distances include a 350m swim, 4 laps of a 2km draft legal bike course followed by a 2.5km run before the athletes head back out to do it all over again! Prize money for this year's Elite Cup has also increased with over $7000 on the line.
Race Director John Newsom is excited about what this year's event will hold,
"There's so much on offer throughout the day, we really have tried to make sure we can involve everyone from the beginners right through to the pros," says Newsom.
"Pegasus is a great spot too, it's such a great atmosphere with athletes who have competed or are about to compete all cheering on fellow athletes around the course."
Entries are now open for all festival events. For more information and entry details for the "House of Travel Triathlon Festival" go to www.triathlonfestival.co.nz.
There are limited entry spaces for each event so be in quick to make sure you don't miss out on being a part of this great sporting event.
