COVID-19: Thousands of Kiwi children take part in NZ’s largest backyard triathlon

Thousands of Kiwi kids who had a major sporting event in the calendar cancelled, due to COVID-19, have taken part in the country's largest backyard triathlon.

COVID-19 saw the premature end to the 2019/2020 season of the Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon series.

Event organisers received hundreds of messages from children around the country who were still desperate to take part, hoping to create their own DIY event in their backyards.

Sanitarium spokesperson Peter Davis says the company was thrilled to see such tenacity from the children.

“We were blown away by their ability to adapt to the situation and take the initiative for their own event, and thought we'd better stick to the tradition of providing them with a medal!” he says

More than 2,650 kids completed their own version of the TRYathlon; biking, running and swimming, sometimes in their own bathtubs to participate in the event.

Davis says now all 2,658 children who took part in the events have had their medals posted to recognise their dedication and achievement.

“The TRYathlon events have always been a place where families come together and these DIY TRYathlons have shown that if you have a great attitude you can achieve whatever you set out to. We are so impressed with the motivation of these children but also the wonderful support that their parents have given them too,” he says.

Davis says the event which is now entering its 29th year will need to adapt to post COVID requirements.

“We are working through how our events may change in response to this and may offer a virtual option in the future for those children who are unable to attend an event due to its geographic location, or if it has sold out,” he says.