Inspirational comebacks, elite stars, national champions, first-timers and fun-chasing families - this year's Thermatech 3D Rotorua Multisport Festival has got it all.
 3D Rotorua Multisport Festival(Photo: Jamie Troughton/Dscribe Journalism; click to enlarge) |
The Queen's Birthday Weekend off-road carnival on June 2 already boasts one of the strongest fields ever assembled for the feature race, the 50km Australasian Multisport championships.
But sprinkled throughout the 10 events on offer are some equally intriguing tales to tell.
Take 35-year-old Hamiltonian Brendan Brier. Two years ago, the farming consultant was diagnosed with a brain tumor and endured 18 months of hellish treatment. He's used sport as a major part of his recovery, building from a 20min walk to running, then competing cycle races. The 50km premier race at 3D will be his biggest test yet.
"My recovery started with walking down the street and slowly built up to running 8km - this will be another fantastic event to complete the mix," Brier explained. "The goal is to complete the two day Coast to Coast again in the future but really hitting the road for a bike or a run or going for a paddle or a surf is a privilege and a highlight of my day. Having goals to achieve is fantastic but the journey is more important."
The 3D journey is definitely what sets the event apart. Although it boasts more than $75,000 in cash and prizes, the key enticement is the magical natural playground of Rotorua's stunning lakes and world-renowned forests.
That's exactly what is bringing Auckland's Sutherland family to town. Triathlete dad Andrew is giving the 25km grassroots multisport race a nudge, while wife Olivia and 7-year-old son Angus will be doing the 5.5km trail run, with 4-year-old Will the support crew.
"We were all down in Rotorua for Anzac Weekend and saw a sign for the event during a walk in the Redwoods," Andrew said. "I said I'd like to have a crack at it to stay in shape over winter and asked Angus if he fancied doing a race in the forest too. He said 'yup, sounds like fun - Mum, you want to have a go too?' and roped Olivia in. As soon as we got back to the hotel, I fired up the WiFi and we were in!"
At another end of the scale, former New Zealand agegroup triathlete Bailey Mitchell is lining up for her first crack at a multisport race, while hubby Travis should add an extra element to the 50km premier event.
He's the reigning national surf ski champion and an accomplished kayaker - although this too is his multisport debut, he should keep the elites honest during the 9km opening paddle leg on Lake Tikitapu.
The 3D festival is now in its third year, having doubled in size last year. That forced race director Neil Gellatly to shift the kayaking from nearby Lake Okareka... not that he's complaining.
"We're well on track to break through the 1000-competitor mark this year and word is definitely getting out there," Gellatly said. "People love all the options we have on offer and we warmly encourage whole families to come along and find a distance that takes their fancy and challenges them. We're really lucky to have such an amazing venue as well - we could put thousands more people into the Whakarewarewa Forest and it still wouldn't feel crowded!"
Nelson's Richard and Elina Ussher will again headline the feature race, each aiming for their third successive Australasian Multisport championship win.
