Top turnout for first kids triathlon

Wairarapa Multisport Club officials were delighted with the turnout for the first of the three events in their 2009 Kid's Triathlon series at the Lakeview School in Masterton on Tuesday evening.
Organiser Judy Brown said that with persistent rain causing a 24-hour postponment from the usual Monday evening time slot registrations were always likely to be down to some degree so the number received, 261, were better than anticipated.
"The first race usually attracts the smallest entry anyway, they usually build considerably over the next two," she said., adding that last year's numbers had peaked at 375. "We're hoping to get around that figure next Monday night but the weather will need to play its part&&.parents are more likely to bring their kids along when it is warm."
The Kid's Triathlon series sees competitors placed in their own age groups and contest a swim, cycle ride and run over distances suitable for their age bracket.
And the emphasis is very much on participation rather than finishing order with all the many prizes being of the spot variety.
"Obviously a lot of the kids make a race out of it, and that's fine," Mrs Brown said. "But for us it's all about taking part, of trying to improve your time from one week to the next. We want it to be good fun, that's the key".
Mrs Brown said it was nothing unusual for three-year-olds to be amongst the entrants with the most popular age groups being around the 10yrs to 12yrs mark. Secondary school pupils can also participate but numbers there were usually light. "We'd certainly like to see more in that cateogry, it's a good workout for them too,"she said.