Triathlon: Wellington comes alive this weekend

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Wellington comes alive this weekend, with sporting events taking place right around the Capital, including the hosting of the fifth round of the Sovereign Tri Series, an event that includes National titles for age group athletes over standard distance and Elite Juniors over the sprint distance.

The stunning Sovereign Tri Wellington event takes place on the waterfront this Saturday, with events from 7:30am. Competitors in a variety of events from the fun splash and dash for the kids to the short distance beginners' race and on to the standard distance for the age groupers will take a swim in the harbour, bike the scenic bays and run the waterfront.

The Wellington Tri also leads perfectly into Sunday for those taking part in Ocean Swim Series event, the Capital Classic, at Oriental Bay.

Event director Stuart Dwight says this weekend's Sovereign Tri Series event marks an exciting time for those who are taking the event a bit more seriously.

"It's the return of the National Triathlon Championships back to Wellington. We're bringing the National Champs back to the Capital. The Standard Distance Champs were held in Auckland last year as part of the ITU World Series event, so it's great to have it back in Wellington, giving participants some added motivation."

Triathlon New Zealand chief executive Craig Waugh says Tri Wellington is a fun event that is always popular and it's even better that the National Championships are there again.

"The National Champs are obviously the pinnacle Standard Distance event on home soil and it's so great that they are back in the Capital. It's now just really important that the triathlon community supports it now that it is in Wellington. We need everyone to get behind it."

Former Silver Ferns shooter Irene van Dyk will be taking part in her first ever triathlon in Wellington this weekend. She'll be doing the Short Distance race with her daughter Bianca.

The Short Distance, which is a 300m swim, 10km bike ride and 2.7km run is the perfect race for a first timer, youth or in a team. But there is a race for anyone, no matter what age or ability.

The Tri NZ National Junior series continues as well, with this Saturday's race offering up National Championship status over the sprint distance. As is the case with all National Junior Series events throughout the summer, the best U19 competitors will be racing for themselves but also earning points for their region, spicing up the battle between some of the best young triathletes in the country over a draft legal race, replicating ITU racing conditions.

As well as the National Champs taking place, the Wellington Triathlon also doubles as a Primary Selection race for the ITU Triathlon World Championships held in Cozumel, Mexico. Age Group racing provides athletes from ages 16 to 85+ with an opportunity to represent their country.