Taupo To Stage Weet-Bix Kiwi Kids Tryathlon

MEDIA RELEASE
August 28, 2000

TAUPO TO STAGE WEET-BIX KIWI KIDS TRYATHLON

In March 2001 Taupo children will have the chance to participate in the world’s largest children’s sporting event - the Weet-Bix Kiwi Kids Tryathlon.

Jointly launched today, by Lake Taupo’s Mayor Joan Williamson and Sanitarium Health Food Company’s Weet-Bix Product Manager Cherie Jackson, Lake Taupo is the newest venue to be added to the esteemed national Tryathlon series.

The Mayor says she is thrilled and congratulates Sanitarium for deciding to add Taupo to the list of Tryathlon venues.

“Staging the Weet-Bix Kiwi Kids Tryathlon in Taupo makes up an impressive portfolio of multisport races held here each year, which includes the New Zealand Ironman and half Ironman competitions,” Mrs Williamson says. “And I am thrilled Taupo can now offer children the opportunity to try multisports.”

“It’s where it all starts with the kids, to understand what a challenge is all about and it sets them up for future events. The more opportunities created for younger people to try multisport the better as it creates healthy lifestyles that will continue through their lives and what better place to do it than Lake Taupo.”

In previous years the large number of Taupo participants have had to travel to Tauranga, Auckland or Wellington to compete in a Tryathlon event. With the addition of the Taupo venue local children can train and compete on their home ground.

Also for the first time in the competition’s nine-year history the Weet-Bix Kiwi Kids Tryathlon series will be endorsed by the governing body of the sport of triathlon – Triathlon New Zealand. Every participant who enters will automatically receive a junior membership to Triathlon NZ.

The Sanitarium Health Food Company runs the Weet-Bix Kiwi Kids Tryathlon Series and Weet-Bix product manager Cherie Jackson says the Tryathlon series is an integral part of New Zealand’s kiwi kid culture.

“The Tryathlon series has become a well-regarded family event with high repeat attendance from participants,” says Mrs Jackson. “Taking part in the Weet-Bix Kiwi Kids Tryathlon is a major achievement for kids. A triathlon is a challenging event but even kids who do little or no exercise want to give this event a go.”

The Weet-Bix Kiwi Kids Tryathlon series is staged in seven different locations around the country including Auckland, Tauranga, Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch, Dunedin and now Taupo. Last year the event involved over 9,000 Kiwi kids and has become widely regarded as the biggest triathlon series in the country.

In 1999 the Weet-Bix Kiwi Kids Tryathlon series won the Guinness Book of Records title for the world’s largest childrens sporting event and was also awarded the Best National Event Series in New Zealand over the Rugby NPC.

Criteria for entry ensures children from ages eight to 14 can “have a go” and receive a medallion and certificate for their efforts. They also have the chance to win some great spot prizes.

The Taupo Weet-Bix Kiwi Kids Tryathlon event will take place on March 25, 2001. Entries close two-weeks prior on March 11, 2001 and the fee to enter for an individual is $20 and $39 for a team.

- leased on behalf of Sanitarium by Porter Novelli New Zealand (Auckland) Ltd. For further information please contact:

Cherie Jackson Sanitarium Health Foods Company 09 625 4299
Or 021 892 177
Or
Bridget Reaney Porter Novelli New Zealand (Auckland) Ltd. 09 373 3786

FACT SHEET FOR THE 2001 WEET-BIX KIWI KIDS TRYATHLON SERIES

WHEN DID IT BEGIN?

• The Weet-Bix Kiwi Kids Tryathlon Series (spelt with a “y” intentionally) began in 1993 with a single event held in Auckland attracting just under 500 children.

• Now entering its ninth year, it is staged in seven different locations around the country - last year involving over 9,000 children – making it the biggest triathlon series in the country.

WHERE AND WHEN WILL IT BE HELD?

Below is a list of the dates and venues for the 2000 Weet-Bix Tryathlon Series. Each event starts at 10am (briefings half an hour before the start) expect for Tuaranga which starts at 9am and Auckland which starts at 8am.

Wellington Sunday February 11th Scorching Bay
Christchurch Sunday February 18th QEII Stadium
Tauranga Sunday February 25th Mount Maunganui
Nelson Sunday March 4th Tahunanui Rec Grounds
Auckland Sunday March 19th St Heliers Domain
Dunedin Sunday March 11th St Clair Beach
Taupo Sunday March 25th Lake Front

WHAT DOES THE TRYATHLON STAND FOR?

• Sanitarium, which manages and funds the event, made a commitment in 1993 to improve the health and wellbeing of New Zealand children through a significant investment in the Weet-Bix Kiwi Kids Tryathlons.

• The aim is to promote the importance of regular exercise, coupled with a nutritious balanced diet and match it with the indomitable spirit that embodies the Kiwi Kids “have-a-go” philosophy.

TRIATHLON NEW ZEALAND’S INVOLVEMENT

• For the first time in the events nine-year history the Weet-Bix Kiwi Kids Tryathlon series will be endorsed by the governing body of the sport of triathlon – Triathlon New Zealand. Every participant who enters will automatically receive a junior membership to Triathlon NZ.

COURSE DISTANCES

• As with all triathlons, the Weet-Bix Kiwi Kids Series comprises three events - swimming, cycling and running - with separate competitions for boys and girls which can be entered individually or as a team of three.

• The distances depend on the age group.

For 8 to 10 years old individuals the swim, which is started in waves, is 100 metres, the bike ride is 4 kilometres and the run is 1.5 kilometres.

For 11 to 14 year old individuals and for teams in the year 4,5 & 6; Year 7 & 8 and year 9,10 & 11 categories, the swim is 200 metres, the bike ride is 8 kilometres and the run is 1.5 kilometres, except in Auckland where all age groups will bike 4 kilometres.

EVERY CHILD IS A WINNER

• Everyone who enters is treated like a champion. Every competitor gets a Year 2000 medallion placed around their necks as they cross the finish line and a personalised certificate acknowledging them as tryathletes.

LOADS OF PRIZES

• Competitors also receive special tee-shirts, swimming caps and free products from the co-sponsors of the series.

• Spot prizes are another draw card to the events. Everyone who completes the race goes into a draw to win an Avanti bike plus a variety of sports equipment and many other prizes.

HOW TO ENTER

• To enter the tryathlon, children need to send in three tokens from the top of specially marked Weet-Bix Tryathlon packs, together with $20 per person or $39 per team. A special family offer allows you to send in three tokens for the whole family, plus a single $20 entry fee, as long as all entries are sent together.

• The tokens must accompany an entry form which is printed on the inside of the Weet-Bix packs and is also available on the www.kiwikids.co.nz website. There is one token on the 750g pack and two on the 1kg packs. Entry forms are also available at sport stores that sell Avanti bikes or can be obtained from school PE teachers at primary and intermediate schools.

1999 GUINNESS BOOK OF RECORDS AND BEST NATIONAL EVENT SERIES

• In 1999 the Weet-Bix Kiwi Kids Tryathlon series won the Guinness Book of Records title for the world’s largest children’s sporting event; was awarded the Best National Event Series in New Zealand over the Rugby NPC competition; and also received the NZ Post Sports Award for Best Junior Sponsorship.

 The Weet-Bix Kiwi Kids Tryathlon series has also won one international and one national public relations award.

Company Backgrounder
August 28, 2000

SANITARIUM HEALTH FOODS COMPANY

Sanitarium, the name behind household brands such as Weet-Bix and Marmite, has been at the forefront of healthy eating in New Zealand for over a century.

Sanitarium began providing New Zealander’s with their favourite health foods in 1898 and was first to introduce Kiwis to health food shops and has always strived to make the link between good diet and good health.

Generations of New Zealanders have been brought up on Sanitarium products such as Weet-Bix, Skippy Cornflakes, Honey Puffs, Ricies, Marmite and Sanitarium Peanut Butter.

But the company has also kept pace with modern eating trends with recent additions to its range such as So Good soy milk, Light n Tasty and Hi Bran Soy and Linseed. All are manufactured in New Zealand at two Sanitarium plants in Auckland and Christchurch.

Sanitarium’s annual Weet-Bix Kiwi Kids Tryathlon series demonstrates the company’s commitment to the health and well-being of New Zealanders.

With increasing levels of child obesity and related low levels of activity getting active and developing healthy eating habits at a young age is more critical now than ever before.

Sanitarium’s Weet-Bix Kiwi Kids Tryathlon series are all about promoting a healthier lifestyle for Kiwi Kids.

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