TRIATHLON

Villa Maria To Host National Duathlon Championships And Family Fun Day

By Tri NZ

Triathlon New Zealand has added an exciting new event to the Sovereign Tri Series and it sees the return of a Duathlon to the Auckland and specifically the Mangere area, with the Sovereign Duo at Villa Maria Estate set down for Sunday November 15, with racing set to include National Championship events over sprint and standard distances.
 
Not since the popular Real Duathlon Series was hosted at Ambury Farm has an event of this nature come to the area, with the Sovereign Duo offering events of varying distances for participants of all abilities, from beginners, families, work teams and children, through to the ‘experts’ who might prefer to be chasing those national titles in the Tri NZ National Championship categories and along with it, places in the New Zealand team for the ITU World Duathlon Championships in Aviles, France in 2016.
 
Sovereign Tri Series Event Director Stuart Dwight says families, businesses and locals will delight on what is on offer.
 
“The Sovereign Duo Auckland at Villa Maria Estate promises to be a great family day, one that will encourage and welcome first timers to enjoy a largely flat and safe course through the grounds of the estate and surrounding roads while also showcasing some of our best age group and elite Duathlon athletes with national championship events over sprint and standard distance, as well as for our Para Duathlon competitors.
 
“The day will be one loaded with entertainment, great food, music and a family orientated atmosphere to encourage everyone to join us, whether participating or there to support, there will be something for everyone from great coffee, tasty food options, picnic areas and the most fantastic venue to take part in a Duathlon that you can imagine, running and jogging on largely packed off-road trails and cycling through and around the estate on rolling countryside.”


Photo © Scottie T Photography

Villa Maria is thrilled to be entering a new partnership with the Sovereign Tri Series and hosting an event that will appeal to the entire community – from the novice and family groups or work teams, through to the experienced triathletes and duathletes looking for their next challenge.
 
“We are delighted to host the inaugural Duathlon race as part of the Sovereign Tri series,” said Villa Maria founder Sir George Fistonich.  “It’s a fantastic opportunity for competitors to enjoy the assets of our picturesque setting amongst the vines. Our vineyard makes for an exciting race course and a unique destination to enjoy at the finish line.”
 
One event that will prove popular on the day is the Kids Barrel Run – a chance for children aged 5 to 10 to enjoy some of the fun as they negotiate an easily achieved 1km obstacle/running course around a selection of the barrels from Villa Maria.
 
Local businesses in the immediate airport area are being encouraged to enter work teams, with some jogging and some riding or with individuals entering any of the events on offer, all of which can count towards their tally in the Sovereign CEO Challenge. At the conclusion of the Sovereign Tri Series the company that engages with their staff the most throughout the event will win a $25,000 donation from Sovereign, to be given to the charity of the winning company’s choosing.
 
Stuart Dwight says even the registration for the event promises to be an experience in its own right.
 
“Normally registering for an event of this nature can be pretty ho-hum. But we will have a three hour window on the Saturday afternoon going into the early evening, with wine tasting, spot prizes and tours of the Villa Maria Estate for those arriving to register for the event.
 
“This is a wonderful collaboration of an iconic Auckland and New Zealand business with a rich history, working with the Sovereign Tri Series to encourage all New Zealanders regardless of ability and background to come out and enjoy a great family day while ‘taking charge’ of their lifestyles through healthy and achievable exercise.”
 
Early bird entries are encouraged with all who enter before October 4 receiving a $25 gift voucher from triathlon apparel partner 2XU. Prize giving on the day will include an array of spot prizes including the chance to go in the end of season draw to win a brand new Suzuki Swift. All details at www.triseries.kiwi