The Avoca Kai Iwi Lakes Triathlon had the perfect backdrop for two days of tough racing.
The annual Avoca Kai Iwi Lakes Triathlon held on Saturday catered for many different triathlon options including a kids triathlon, short course, long course, teams, kayak and swim options.
Whangarei's Scott Kennedy and Mel Oliver took out their respective long course kayak option races. Kennedy won the men's race in 1:36:57 while Oliver led the women home in 2:23:21.
Whangarei's Katie McVerry flew the Northland flag in the long course women's swim section, finishing second in 1:43:57. Sally Jackson of Auckland took line honours in 1:39:39. The short course event consisting of a 350m swim, 9km cycle and 3.8km run was won by 13-year-old Whangarei Boys' High School student Trevor Coetzee in 46:02.
Coetzee took out a tense finish with Whangarei's Tommy Monaghan, who finished 38 seconds behind.