Entries have opened for the annual Avanti Plus Lower Hutt Hutt City Triathlon.
Starting at Naenae Pool on Sunday 1 November the triathlon includes a 4km run, 18km cycle and 300m swim and is ideal for those wanting to get in shape for summer or compete for the first time.
The triathlon is perfect for people wanting to try their hand at triathlon and focuses on encouraging people of all ages and abilities to participate, have fun and do their best, says Hutt City Council’s recreation and events manager Duncan Chisholm.
“With its shorter course and emphasis on fun and participation, the Hutt City Tri is a great way for first time triathletes to have a go as well as an essential part of the training programme for more seasoned competitors,” says Duncan.
The friendly, safe event is open to anyone aged 12 years and up and offers individual and team entry options. The Matt Dryden Memorial Trophy will be awarded to the 1st place winner in the 12 -15 category.
This year there’s a new category for wheel chair competitors which contributes to Hutt City Council’s commitment to the Hutt Valley No Exceptions initiative – a strategy to increase disabled residents participation in sport and recreation.
Local cycle-shop Avanti Plus Lower Hutt has thrown its support behind the event and come on board as naming rights sponsor and has put an Avanti road bike up for grabs as the major spot prize.
The event has a limited number of places available, so schools and individuals who want to be involved should get in as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Three great earlybird prizes of three-month memberships to the popular Leisure Active Fitness Suite valued at $192 each are available for entries received before 1 October 2009.
Entry forms are available now from swimming pools, libraries, and cycle and sport shops around the region. Participants can also enter online on the event website www.huttcitytri.co.nz.
The Hutt City Triathlon is managed by the Leisure Active unit of Hutt City Council with support from Avanti Plus Lower Hutt, New Zealand Community Trust, Resene Paints Ltd, Spank Sport, New Zealand Resilience Trust, Wholly Bagels. New World Naenae, Action Indoor Sports, Full of Beans, Unichem Pharmacy and Celsius Coffee.
Need to get into shape?
For those wanting to get in shape for the event, Leisure Active in conjunction with andrewsmithfitness Ltd has developed a six-week training plan to assist those who may need a little help in get fit for the event. The plan is downloadable from the event website.
In addition to the training plan, two training seminars are also scheduled for Wednesday 23 September and Wednesday 21 October. The seminars will cover topics such as the principles behind training, equipment, transitions, nutrition, and injury prevention and are $5 per person. Participants can register for the seminars when they enter the event.
