Huge increase in TRYathlon numbers (+video)

A wet start didn't put off more than 900 kids flocking to Kuirau Park yesterday to take part in the Sanitarium Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon.

In its third year in Rotorua, children aged 7 to 15 years old took a short swim then headed into the cycle round before racing to the finish line to receive a medal from sport stars Anna Harrison, Sarah Walker, Tom Abercrombie and Tri NZ High Performance Squad member Fynn Thompson.

Sanitarium national sales manager Tony Farr said it was a brilliant turnout despite the wet start.

"It was a fantastic event with 930 kids, up 150 from last year, and we didn't expect that with the rain at the start of the event. The total of kids at the Rotorua event would only be bettered by the larger areas, Auckland and Wellington. And 150 is a great increase. We were absolutely pleased with the turnout and there were some very happy faces at the finish line," he said.

Rotorua's Joshua Blundell, 10, was excited to have taken part again this year, said his dad David Blundell.

"He was stoked. He was first out of the water in his group, he was first off the bike, and second in the run. That was his third Weet-Bix TRYathlon in Rotorua. He's done them each year since they started in Rotorua and he did one in Tauranga earlier this year," said Mr Blundell.

"We encourage both our kids to do lots of different sporting activities. They both swim twice a week and they mountain bike regularly."