Fielding on the outskirts of Palmerston North is bracing for an attack of running-cycling-running Kiwis this weekend as the region hosts the Contact National Duathlon Championships.
Entries are strong for this inaugural event run under the auspices of Triathlon New Zealand with strong support from the local Manawatu Triathlon Club, Manawatu District Council and Fielding High School. In excess of 300 participants are expected to line up in a variety of races and distances on Sunday.
There are in fact three different championships on the line with the Nationals, Oceania Championships and National Schools Championships also being raced on a busy day in and around Fielding.
Leading contenders in the elite Standard Distance races are Melanie Burke (Auckland), a former Auckland marathon winner who has recently turned to cycling after being ‘discovered’ in the Bike NZ ‘Power to the Podium’ programme. Burke will face strong competition from former track runner Hannah Lawrence (Auckland) and top triathlete Sarah Bryant (New Plymouth).
In the men’s the focus will be on Cameron Goldsmid (Wellington) and David Cooper (Auckland) but the field has an even look to it with others having the potential to surprise.
Race Director Grant Spiers is delighted with planning.
“We have enjoyed tremendous support in the lead up to this event. The Manawatu District Council has been fantastic, I’ve worked with them on events for a number of years now and they are great supporters. Just the other day they phoned to say they had been around the roads being used to check conditions and reported back to us to that effect, saying there were no problems.
“Manawatu Triathlon Club members have been great too and will be the lifeblood of the event on the weekend providing expertise and volunteers. Fielding High School have provided their facilities and will put on food and drink in a real carnival atmosphere, it will be a great event.”
Racing begins at 8am on the Sunday morning with every race starting and finishing at Fielding High School. Spiers says the course is both participant and spectator friendly.
“The courses are flat and easy and will produce fast times for the top competitors and an enjoyable day out for the novice or beginner participants. The run and bike loops around Fielding High School giving spectators plenty of opportunity to see family and friends who might be racing and encourage them on.”
The National Schools Championship will also be raced on Sunday with students from as far as Christchurch and Auckland heading to Palmerston in search of medals and national titles for their schools.
Entries in all events are being accepted up until the close of registration at Fielding High School at 5pm on Saturday or online this week at www.triathlon.org.nz.
Events:
Sunday 23rd August
Contact National Schools Championships
8.00am Contact Year 7 & 8
9.00am Contact Under 14
10.00am Contact Under 16
11.00am Contact Under 19 (also NZ U19 Championships)
Contact National Duathlon Championship Races
9.00am Short Course 2.5km Run or walk / 10km Road Bike / 2.5km Run or walk
11.00am Sprint Course - 5km Run / 20km Cycle / 2.5km Run or walk
12.30pm Standard Course - 10km Run or walk / 40km Cycle / 5km Run or walk
