Course change for triathlon

Press, 27 September 1988, Page 44

Course change for triathlon

The dry spring not only concerns farmers, but it has also forced the organisers of .Saturday’s Rangiora Lions-Rapid Dispatch triathlon, to alter its course. The Ashley River, where the canoeing section is to be run, is lower than normal, forcing the course to be shortened by I.skm. The river is still negotiable, but would probably be more attractive to novices, and may mean canoeists will be on the water longer than expected because of the conditions. In order to make sure the event finishes on time the canoe section, while still passing under the State highway one bridge, does not extend as far as the estuary. It finishes just before the estaury at the end of Kings Avenue, at Waikuku Beach. The finish will be marked where the river-

side willow plantings end on the south bank of the river. The Kings Avenue turn-off will be easy to find as it is just 300 m short of the Waikuku Beach village. Cycles will be left at the tarsealed end of Kings Avenue which means competitors will have to run about 400 m from the riverside timing station to their cycles. Teams can make their own decision as to whether this is run by the canoeist or cyclist. The change in the canoeing section alters the cycling leg by less than Ikm. To date about 100 competitors have entered with many entrants arriving from as far away as Nelson, the West Coast and Geraldine.

The event begins at 9.30 a.m. at the Rangiora Show Grounds. A barbecue and refreshments will be available from 12.30 p.m. until the prize-giving at 1.45 p.m.