Popular Triathlon has added dimension
Media Release 18th December 2006
Popular Triathlon has added dimension
The fourteenth Fresh Choice Southern
Lakes Women's Triathlon on the 3rd March 2006 has newly
expanded: in response to popular demand, a complete
Duathlon has been added to the event.
The focus of this
long established event hasn't changed and it is
still
described as a 'relaxed fun event with the emphasis
on participation.'
The Southern Lakes Women's Triathlon
attracted over 400 women in the last
couple of years from
as far as Invercargill and Christchurch to compete
as
individuals or in teams. Event manager Pascale Lorre
says the race is a
great way to encourage women to get
fit for an event specifically designed
for them.
"We
are delighted to be able to stage an event that so many
women enjoy. We
would like to encourage women of all
ages, shapes, sizes and levels of
fitness to join us. The
distances and disciplines are achievable by women of
all
abilities. ."
"The women committing to competing a
triathlon have found that it means
committing to a
positive change in life style with choices around what
you
eat, and how to spend their spare time."
The new
duathlon matches the triathlon in that the distances are
all
achievable. A 1.5km run is followed by the same 15km
used by the
triathletes, and then back on foot again for
the final 5km run to the finish
line.
The triathlon
includes a 300 metre swim or kayak equivalent (approx 2km)
in
Lake Hayes, a 15km ride along Lake Hayes, Arrowtown
and Speargrass Flat
roads and a 5km run or walk.
Both
the duathlon & triathlon will be held on Saturday 3rd March
at the Lake
Hayes Pavilion and each of the two events can
be entered as an individual or
in a team.
Queenstown's
supermarket Fresh Choice manager Howard Nossiter is glad to
be
able to support the local women.
"This is the fourth
year for Fresh Choice as the title sponsor for
the
triathlon and we are pleased to once again be
involved. The event continues
to grow and the duathlon
should open up the opportunity for more women to
be
involved. It is great for women to be able to compete
in a safe and friendly
environment, and to enjoy the
beauty Queenstown has to offer. This is our way of saying
thank you to them for their custom."
The event has 10
associate sponsors running under the banner of ' Women
in
Business supporting Women in Sport.' The sponsorship
approaches are always
well received in the market place
as the business women in the Wakatipu
community well
recognise the benefits of the regular exercise that the
involvement in the competition bring. Each of the sponsors
are offered a
chance to put a team in the event and not
only does this involve them more
directly but most use it
a motivational opportunity for the staff in their
business.
The business women involved in the program this
year are Josie Waters - The Cow Restaurant (now also in
Wanaka), Louisa Patterson - Over The Top The Helicopter
Company (who has just been recognised as one the
'entrepreneurial women' in the country). Andy Rapley
representing Pulse Fitness who provide
the training
programs. Also Tracey McLaren from Real Journeys
consistently
manages the largest staff turnout for the
event in up to 5 different teams
representing the
different divisions of Real Journeys.
Sharon Holland -
Cutting Edge Hair Design, Lydia MCCarthy - Elysium and
Jan
Atkinson - Thomas Hotel on the Waterfront, on
Hereford and in the Catlins
have been involved with the
event for more than 8 years. Alpine Sports -
represented
by Heidi Hoffman has long provided the first place finishes
with
their prize pack.
These women are joined by two
new sponsors for the 2007 event. Kirsty Sinclair from
Browns Sothebys and Jan Warwick representing Style & Grace
were both enthusiastic about the opportunity to support the
concept which
presents women of varying fitness levels
with a chance to experience the
thrill of participating
in an athletic event.
The Southern Lakes Women's Duathlon
& Triathlon has a dedicated website,
www.southerntraverse/womenstri site and this includes
background stories,
press releases and training programs.
These training programmes are
specially designed to help
athletes get started into their first triathlon.
Entries
opened this week with the release of the entry forms, and
remain
open until the day of the event. Categories for
both event include
individual, team, business house and
veteran. Entry forms are available from
Fresh Choice,
sports shops or by contacting Southern Traverse
event
management company
Ends