History

History of the Manawatu Triathlon Club

The Club was first started in 1997 by Grant Spiers with the assistance of Gilbert Cole. Grant had been a N.Z Duathlon Rep, N.Z Age Group Champion and N.Z Masters Champion. After transferring to Palmerston North found that there was no triathlon club and wanted to give something back to the sport. Thus began a series of events based at the Lido – catering for children up to adults.

In those early years Grant would do all the flyers, sponsorship, set out the course on the day, take the registrations, run the event, dish out prizes to all competitors, pick up all the road cones and then do the results for the paper. Gilbert Cole looked after transition and made the bike racks that we are using today. Gilbert always gave encouragement to all and presented flowers to the last lady competitor.

In recognition of their dedication and commitment both Gilbert & Grant are Life Members of the Club.

In those early years youngsters who came along included Jessie Sargent, Simon Van VeltHooven, Matthew Waghorn, Kieran Doe. These people have now become legends in their own right and prove that you can too soar to the same level with dedication & ambition.

In 2000 the Special K Women’s Tryathalon to Palmy. That event saw over 2000 Women compete.