Karen writes: Weetbix Triathlon

Older daughter went to bed last night curiously unconcerned that the weather looked dreadful, the wind was blowing and the rain was drumming on the tin roof, but she had perfect confidence that her Weetbix triathlon was going to go ahead this morning.

Everyone was reluctant to get out of bed to head off into the cold, wet dark, I can relate to that, but as we hit the edges of the city and saw the city lights, then started spotting other cars with bikes on them the mood lifted.   St Heliers weather was just as bad as Maraetai weather.   Rain and rain, oh that is such familiar stuff.   By the time it was daylight, the rain was slowing, and by the time the swim started the sun was out, it was a perfect day, so perfect I was regretting not plastering everyone with sunscreen.  Really busy though, there was a madly milling press of kids on the field, an unending stream of bobbing red, black, blue, yellow, orange heads in the water, then frantic activity on bikes, and less enthusiastic running, an obvious trauma to some.  We just watched the news on TV and this busyness was explained, 3000 children apparently participated in this event.   

The girl was calm and collected in transition (a lot more than I usually am!), was confident on the bike and comfortable with her run. She justifiably soaked up the admiration, consumed sponsors product, and unlike last year doesn’t even seem to be particularly tired or grumpy.  She was upset by an accident in front of her on the bike-ride, and was worried about inexperienced cyclists (?), but thinks she will be back next year when she is 9.  Her 6 year old sister has been saying she doesn’t want to do a triathlon ever, she has been very consistent about this, today however she said she “might”.  Progress.

Anyway, I admire this event hugely, the organisation is amazing, I mean, 3000 children in one spot, being encouraged to make their first and sometimes only journey across the triathlon finish line.   The Weetbix tryathlon is in it's 20th year, Good luck for another 20 years of inspiring kiwi children.