As employees struggle to find motivation through the winter months, businesses are being encouraged to give them a boost by entering teams in the Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Taupo Half Ironman on December 11.
"Helping employees maintain their health and fitness through winter and the traditionally busy third and fourth quarters will help companies achieve their business objectives and goals, and will provide a very different type of KPI," said Wayne Reardon, Event Director of the Half Ironman, which continues to increase in popularity.
"We encourage workplaces to band together to enter a team in the Half Ironman – fuel the friendly rivalry that exists in the Kiwi psyche by throwing down the challenge to your competitors or others in your workplace.
"Broken down into a 2km swim in the crystal clear Lake Taupo, 90km bike ride and a 21km run along the shores of the lake, a half Ironman becomes a realistic and achievable goal for two or three colleagues to complete," said Wayne.
"With entries well in advance of last year we are expecting a closed field so don't delay if you're thinking about entering a team – there was a 45% increase in team entries last year."
"Companies who enter 4 teams will receive a 5th team free – maybe that's the added incentive needed to get the Managing Director or CEO involved?" suggested Wayne.
Prizes will be awarded for the top 3 places for corporate teams and there is prize money tagged for the fastest swimmer, runner and cyclist on the day entered as an individual or as part of a team.
Entry fees for the 2010 event remain the same as 2009 – individuals can enter online for $210 and a team of two or three costs only $255.
'Teams entrants will run, swim and cycle alongside a strong field of individual entrants as the event is a qualifying one for the 2011 Triathlon Long Course World Championships in Nevada, America – it is also an excellent opportunity for those participating in Ironman to experience the course as the Half Ironman course mirrors that of the full Ironman," concluded Reardon.
