The Contact Duathlon Series makes its debut appearance north of Rangiora this Saturday as the first in a three race national series takes place at Ashley School.
Triathlon New Zealand is running the series with a view to catering for those athletes looking to either specialize in the bike/run sport or stay fit during the winter months as they contemplate another season of triathlon.
Teams racing is an option in all three categories of racing, with the sprint course designed to attract first time or novice athletes into the sport.
Race Director Ted Pearce says there is something for everyone on Saturday.
"We have three race distances to cater for all people, from elite athletes to the everyday people just looking to give it a go. You don't need lycra, you don't need a flash bike and with it being Duathlon of course you don't need to know how to swim.
"The course offers a good challenge for the elites with a few hills but in the sprint race it is easy enough for anyone with a reasonable level of fitness to give it a go. It should be a great day for everyone."
There is also a serious side to the event with places on the line at the World Duathlon Championships later this year. Christchurch is the sole selection race for the New Zealand team with spots up for grabs in the elite and age group categories over the standard distance course. The first 12 athletes in each age group (provided they meet Tri NZ criteria and finish inside 20% of that age group winners time) will qualify for the World Championships.
That attraction has seen some of the best in the country book their tickets and line up on Saturday, including Whangarei's Katherine Anton, Christchurch's Julia Grant, New Plymouth's Nathan Coombes and recently crowned Contact Schools Champion Michael Poole (Auckland).
Anton has been focusing very much on Duathlon after an impressive season two summers back on the Contact Tri Series circuit and will go in to Saturday's race as favourite - albeit she will expect a strong challenge from Julia Grant.
The men's race is a little more open with Coombes and Poole possible contenders. 19 year old Coombes represented New Zealand in the elite U19 category at last year's World Duathlon Champs in Italy while Poole should carry some reasonable fitness into the race following his impressive win at the Schools Nationals last month, where he rode away from the field to post an easy victory.
Elsewhere in the field two Christchurch athletes will garner much attention for their continued dedication to the sport and commitment to race whenever possible. Both have represented New Zealand at age group triathlon world championships in the past and will be keen to book spots at the World Duathlon Championships in North Carolina USA in September this year.
Tai Tapu's Shirley Rolston will take on all-comers in the women's 60 to 64 age category while Anthony Sepie will likewise be favoured to take out the men's 75 to 79. Both are veterans in age but also in events, clocking up air miles as well as racing miles as they participate in events up and down the country throughout the summer.
Rolston in fact doubled up at Wanaka over the summer, racing in a sprint distance event on the Friday before taking on Challenge Wanaka over the iron man distance on the Saturday. Her love of the sport extended to Ironman NZ in Taupo in March as well as featuring at most of the Contact Tri Series throughout the summer.
Fendalton triathlete Sepie featured in an inspirational viral marketing campaign from Tri NZ partner Contact this year, with video footage of Sepie and his incredible story of courage at the 2008 World Tri Champs when he continued after a bike crash to finish despite broken bones and bruising making it around the world.
Contact Duathlon Series
Ashley School, Canterbury
Saturday 16th May
Events
Standard Course - 10km Run/40km Cycle/5km Run (Non Drafting)
Short Course - 2km Run/10km Road Bike/3km Run (Non Drafting)
Sprint Course - 5m Run/20km Bike/3km Run (Non Drafting)
Start Times
Standard Distance - 10.30am
Sprint Distance - 11.30am
Short Distance - 12.30pm
Registration/Late Entries
Saturday 16th May,
8am-10.30am
Ashley School
Entry details at www.triathlon.org.nz
