Taking place around the Bay of Plenty, Tauranga, on the North Island of New Zealand – the prestigious Port of Tauranga Half triathlon has received further kudos in what will be its 25th anniversary event in January 2014. The iconic race will again carry National Long Distance Championship status and World Championship qualification.
The news comes just over a week out from entries going online on 1 May 2013; and will reaffirm the race as one of the most popular in New Zealand’s summer calendar with age group selection for the 2014 ITU Long Distance World Championships up for grabs.
Entries open at 10:00 NZ time on 1 May for the general public, but at 09:00 for Triathlon New Zealand (Tri NZ) Tribe members. For those athletes on the preferential list, entries will open later this week.
Wayne Werder, CEO at Sport Bay of Plenty, is expecting demand to be high. “We are delighted with the news that the Port of Tauranga Half will be the National Long Distance Championship in 2014. With the event also celebrating its 25th anniversary it is shaping up to be an event to remember, and having the leading elite and age group athletes at the Mount to help us celebrate is particularly exciting.
“This will be a special edition of a special event and I have no doubt demand will be high with many former participants keen to return and be a part of the 25 year celebrations.”
The event has been fully subscribed in recent years and 2014 is expected to be no different. Triathlon New Zealand CEO Craig Waugh says the national body is proud to play its part in an event that has meant so much to so many people over the past 24 years.
“The word iconic has to be earned and the Port of Tauranga Half has certainly earned the right to that status. It is a hugely popular event in a wonderful part of the country and Sport Bay of Plenty continue to deliver a great experience for all participants.
“It is a fantastic test for age groupers looking to earn a spot on the New Zealand team for the ITU World Long Distance Champs later in the year and yet also a course that favours the weekend warrior whose biggest goal might be simply to make the finish line.
“Triathlon New Zealand is proud to be associated with Sport Bay of Plenty in the continued delivery of this fantastic event and looks forward to another great day on Saturday 4th January next year.”
Lining up against an expected strong field of elite triathletes, age group athletes will be vying for spots on the New Zealand team for the 2014 ITU World Long Distance Championships in WeiHai, China. The dates for the Long Distance World Champs in 2014 will be confirmed in due course by the International Triathlon Union (ITU).
To qualify, age groupers will need to finish within 20% of the winner in their respective age group and also be in the top 12 finishers in their age group.
To be considered, athletes must be:
- members of TRIBE
- members of a Tri NZ affiliated club
- be a citizen or permanent resident of New Zealand
- have completed a Selection Nomination form online before the event.
Full qualification criteria and eligibility rules will be available online from 1 May at triathlon.org.
The Port of Tauranga Half comprises a 1.9K swim, 90K bike and 21K run, while the ITU World Long Distance Championships is raced over the slightly longer 4K swim, 120K bike and 30K run.
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