Ironkidz returned to Taupō under suitably metallic skies last weekend.
531 children aged between 5 and 15 took part, including 145 5 to 7-year-olds in the shorter Splash and Dash event.
30 elite youngsters competed in the timed event, with junior (7-10 years) and senior (11 to 15 years) categories.
One-third of the overall competitors were participating for the first time.
More than 70 schools from Auckland to Wellington were represented, with National Park School taking first-place prizes in both age categories for school participation.
