The Woodward kids are ready for the tryathlon. From left: Jack, Kylie, Charlie and John
A north King Country family is ready to add its name to the lengthy list who have competed in one of New Zealand’s most iconic events.
The Woodwards, who live on a dairy farm on Puketawai Rd, 10kms south of Ōtorohanga, will travel to Cambridge on Sunday for the Sanitarium Weet-Bix Kids tryathlon where they will join more than 1600 children.
Kylie, 14, who goes to Ōtorohanga College and her siblings, Ōtewā School students John, 12, Jack, 10 and Charlie 7 will cycle, run and swim their hearts out at St Peter’s School
The first tryathlon was held in 1992 for children aged 6-15 and since then more than 495,000 children have tried it. Sunday’s event will be the third of the season.
“They’ve done the school events, but this is a step up,” said mother Susie.
“They have been practising and between them we have varying degrees of competitiveness.”
The Woodwards milk 300 cows over the sort of terrain ideally suited for training, she said.
The event aims to inspire children to get active and build their confidence in a fun and inclusive environment.
This year, sporting legends and sisters Chelsea and Alana Bremner, both Black Ferns stars, have returned as ambassadors.
“I still remember the thrill of crossing the finish line, exhausted but so proud. My sister and I completed five tryathlons growing up, and now we get to help kids experience that same joy,” said Alana.
