Location
|
Taupo, New Zealand
|
Race website
| |
Time of year held
|
March
|
Approx Athlete Numbers
|
1050
|
Does it typically sell out?
|
No
|
One word description for the event
|
Scenic
|
Good for first iron distance race?
|
Yes
|
Tips for overseas athletes getting to the venue:
- Fly into Auckland and hire a car. Taupo is approx 4 hours drive south of Auckland.
SWIM
One word description for the swim
|
Clean
|
Swim highlights?
| |
Single or multi-lap course?
|
single
|
Typically wetsuit-legal?
|
yes
|
Swim course description
|
Mass start, lake swim
|
Swim tips
- Stay to the left of the course if you don’t like crowds.
- There can be a current pulling you left (towards the lake outlet) as you head the last 200m back into the finish – angle right to counter it.
BIKE
One word description for the bike
|
Rough
|
GPS map link for the bike course
| |
Bike highlights
| |
Single or multi-lap course?
|
2 laps
|
Bike Course description
- An out and back course from Taupo to Reporoa.
- Hilly at the Taupo end of the course but then extended flat sections which allow for extended periods in aero.
Bike Course tips
- A headwind typically develops by the time you are heading back into Taupo for the second and final time.
- The road surface is moderately rough chipseal. Make sure your gear is securely attached to the bike.
- Those prone to the cold might be more comfortable with arm warmers for the first lap – it can be chilly riding through the forest to begin with.
RUN
One word description for the run
|
Undulating
|
GPS map link for the run course
| |
Run highlights
| |
Single or multi-lap course?
|
3 laps
|
Run course description
- A three lap course along the waterfront and through the lakeside suburbs.
- Expect plenty of support as the locals set up party sites on their front lawns to support everyone through to midnight.
- Despite being a predominantly waterfront run, very little of the terrain is flat.
Run course tips
- The course is great for an easy/steady/hard run strategy.
- Special needs is at the far end of the run course and you can typically access it on any of your three laps – but only expect to access it once.
- If you are a 12 hour plus athlete, look out for the great sunset over the lake as you run towards the township.
SUPPORTERS
Tips for supporters get the most out of watching the event?
- Setting up anywhere along the waterfront will enable you to see your athlete 8 times during the day.
- The hill leading up to the Hyatt is a good spot to see everyone heading out on the bike.
Great places to eat:
Best bike or tri shop in town:
Best pick for accommodation:
- Anywhere along the waterfront is good.
- Boulevard Waters Motor Lodge
Best things for the kids to do:
Cool things to do after the race:
- Take a walk to see Huka Falls
Any warnings that people should know about before entering:
- Be prepared for any weather conditions. Taupo is on a volcanic plateau and so the weather can be hot, cold, wet, dry, calm, windy – and possibly a combination of all in one day!
OVERALL
General tips:
Best thing about this race:
- The local support. The entire town gets in behind the race and the atmosphere leading up to, and on race day, make this race truly special.
Anything negative about this race:
- There will typically be a section of road “freshly sealed” just prior to the race and so expect to have to deal with a rough patch of road on the bike.
Have you done this race?
Thank you to the
following people who have contributed content to this page: Toni Hodge
