Kylene Schlebusch shares a smile at the finish line of the Generation Homes Women's Triathlon. Photo / George Novak
Kylene Schlebusch shares a smile at the finish line of the Generation Homes Women's Triathlon. Photo / George Novak
Record numbers competed at the fifth Generation Homes Women's Triathlon held in perfect conditions at Mount Maunganui on Sunday.
Since well-known triathlete Miranda Clarke first came up with the idea of a women's only triathlon, numbers have quickly escalated from about 300 to the 800 who entered the various individual and team groups on Sunday including - the popular mother/daughter category.
The event, run by Triathlon Tauranga, catered for all fitness abilities and ages from 11 to 70 plus who took on the 400m swim, 10km cycle and 4km walk/run.
Winning the event was not the priority for anyone involved, but it was Hayley Gallagher in the 30-39 age group who recorded the fastest overall time of 43m 46s with Megan Burrows second (44.26) and Kylene Schlebusch third (44.52).
Gallagher loved being part of her fourth women's triathlon at Mount Maunganui.
"I have done it on my own and last year I did it in a team with my mum and this year is the first time my mum is doing it all on her own. She is the reason I came today," she said.
"This event is really special to me personally because this is where I started. It is a really good benchmark to try and gauge being a new triathlete starting off. I just love it. It is my favourite triathlon out of any event held in New Zealand.
"Everyone is cheering for you out there, and you don't get that as much at other events."
The level of sponsorship at the Generation Homes Women's Triathlon also set new levels with competitors crowing about the goody bags they all received.
"I think there is $90,000 worth of sponsorship this year. Where do you get that at any other event? The goody bag is worth way more than the entry fee," Gallagher laughed.
Ruby Martelli, 6, and Charlie Martelli, 4, cheer on their mum. Photo / George Novak
For third-placed Schlebusch it was also her fourth time competing at the event.
"I arrived in New Zealand four years ago, and this was the first one I did locally, and it was a great introduction. I got to know more and more ladies here. Doing triathlons here in Tauranga helps build networks of people, and it is just awesome," she said.
"Anyone can do it. It is a good starting block for people who have never done a triathlon before and would never dream of running or swimming but just go for it and give it a try.
"They have the trichicks training evenings once a week which builds up a training network of people and gets everyone motivated to do it. It is free training and everyone has a go at everything to do with triathlon, get given a few tips."
Schlebusch loves the way whole families are involved in competing and supporting the event.
"At the end, everyone is screaming for each other, and the best thing is you see all the strollers and prams in the transition area. All of the family are involved. It is lovely. It is really good."
