The recent I Tri’d the Tri events in Palmerston North attracted large crowds.
For the past 20 years, the I Tri’d the Tri series has become iconic in Palmerston North, with 86 events and over 46,000 participants aged three to 12 taking part. Last week concluded the 2023 events, which attracted an average of 530 kids per week. This successful series of community triathlon events, which started in 2004, has been managed in the Manawatū region by Professor Andy Martin from Massey’s School of Sport, Exercise and Nutrition.
Professor Martin says, “We are fortunate in having an amazing group of volunteers, sponsors, parents and kids that keep coming back each year to support these events.”
Last week was busy for triathlon volunteers, with the Interschools Triathlon for primary and intermediate schools taking place at Skoglund Park and Freyberg Pool, with around 360 kids taking part.
Massey’s third year Sport and Exercise Practicum students supported this event as volunteers, some assisting in the pool, others around the course.
“The students gain experience of community event management and becoming more aware of such initiatives for sport development, increasing participation, and encouraging physical activity for kids. The students then go on to manage their own projects throughout the year, some in sport organisations, others in schools and gyms in the Manawatū region,” Professor Martin says.
This week the Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon is being held in Palmerston North, with 2000 kids expected to take part.
The following week, Bachelor of Business graduate David Martin and Under-23 triathlete Sam Parry will compete in the World Cup Triathlon in New Plymouth. Both started their triathlon journey with the I Tri’d the Tri series.
At the end of March, several local intermediate and secondary school triathletes will travel to Wanaka for the National Secondary Schools event. Following the Manawatū Secondary School champs in February, these athletes have been training each week using the same course at Skoglund Park and Freyberg Pool.
All these athlete development pathways have started with the I Tri’d The Tri series.
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