Triathlon tested

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 4, Issue 48, 19 May 1987, Page 16

Triathlon tested

The official sponsors of Tongariro National Park's 'Mountains to the Sea' triathlon to be held Labour Weekend, Norsca have agreed to sponsor the event being run in conjunction with the Park's centennary celebrations this year. The event will start in Tongariro National Park at the Whakapapa skifield road end and will take competitors over all manner of terrain until they reach Wanganui — a distance of over 285km. Over Easter a small team of athletes from Wellington, including well-known distance runner Tony Gazely, tested some of the sections of the course. The triathletes took part in a 'dummy run' to reassess the course and eliminate any

problems before the actual event later this year. It was decided by organisers of the Mountains-to-the-Sea triathlon, to change its format from a two-day event to three days. Instead of competitors having to complete a gruelling day involving canoeing, running and cycling on Day Two, the event has been rescheduled to incorporate three days of competition. The triathlon will be comprised of: Day 1 — Run from Whakapapa skifield to National Park via road (20km), cycle to Taumarunui then to Ohinepa (61km), canoe to Whakahoro (35km). Day 2 — Canoe to Pipiriki (87km). Day 3 — Run to Koroniti (30km), cycle to Wanganui and Castlecliff - Beach (54km).