Taupo Motorsport Park will hum to a different engine noise this weekend – that of over 500 of the country’s best duathletes as they compete at the Contact National Duathlon Championships, with Oceania, Elite, Age Group and National School titles on the line.
 Contact Duathlon Series(Photo: Tri NZ; click to enlarge) |
Event Director at Tri NZ Haidee Stratford has no doubt that the venue has played a strong role in attracting such a large and strong field of competitors across all events.
"Taupo is a great location regardless of the event, it is central to the North Island, attractive to New Zealanders from further afield and has so much to offer beyond the actual event from a tourism and activity point of view.
"But add to that the chance to compete in a National Duathlon Championship on a mostly closed circuit that includes laps of the Taupo Motorsport Park and you have the clincher, participants of all abilities are looking forward to Sunday, from the elites to the weekend warriors, it promises to be a great event. The added lure of Oceania titles for the elite, U19 and U23 competitors is a bonus."
The field won't lack for quality either, in particular with a large number of young up and coming triathlete/duathletes taking part. The men's elite and U23 race includes Cameron Goldsmid (Wellington), Sam Osborne (Dunedin), Bradley Aldrich (Auckland) and Auckland's Michael Poole. Poole is renowned for his cycling ability and will be a strong threat on Sunday.
In the women's race defending champion Mel Burke (Auckland) looks the likely favourite but will face stern opposition from U23 competitor Megan Blackett (Auckland) for line honours.
The various National Schools titles will also be fiercely fought, with the depth in both triathlon and duathlon increasing at school level in recent years. In the blue riband U19 races Mikayla Nielsen (Correspondence School) will be a huge favourite after her win at the Contact Schools Triathlon Champs earlier this year. The boy's race however has a much more even look to it with any number of candidates a chance on the day.
Stratford points out though that the focus is not entirely on the elites and those chasing national titles.
"As with all of our events we are about participation as well as catering for the serious or elite competitors. Duathlon can often be a great option for people looking to get a start in multi-sport, especially for those nervous swimmers. We have a beginner option on Sunday that encourages those just wishing to give it a go, perhaps on minimal training."
Entries across all events close at 5pm on Friday with late entries taken at registration on Saturday from 2pm to 4pm at Taupo Motorsport Park. For more information follow the links from www.triathlon.org.nz or click here.
Contact National Duathlon Championships
Taupo Motorsport Park
Sunday 14th August Events
- U19 National/Oceania Championship, Sprint Distance - INDIVIDUAL EVENT
- Standard Distance National Championship INDIVIDUAL & TEAM EVENT
- Elite/U23 National/Oceania Championship, Standard Distance INDIVIDUAL EVENT
- Sprint Distance INDIVIDUAL & TEAM EVENT
- Short/Give It A Go Distance INDIVIDUAL & TEAM EVENT
National Schools Events
- Y7/8 National School Championship INDIVIDUAL & TEAM EVENT
- U14 National School Championship INDIVIDUAL & TEAM EVENT
- U16 National School Championship INDIVIDUAL & TEAM EVENT
- U19 National School Championship INDIVIDUAL & TEAM EVENT
