The annual Sparke Helmore / NBN Television Triathlon Festival has been ‘run and won’ in March 2012 with almost 3,000 competitors competing across the 4 events, in the space of 3 days.
The festival was opened on Friday afternoon with the Foreshore5, a 5 km fun run/walk for all ages. The Foreshore5 had been added to the festival series of events for the first time this year and turned out to be a success with well over 500 participants finishing the race.
On Saturday morning it was the kids’ turn to take the spotlight. The Tri Junior is a triathlon event for children between the age of 7 and 13 and was this year, unfortunately, plagued by bad weather. The youngsters battled it out in the reduced-length swim, bike and run, as the rain and strong force winds batted down on them continuously for 2 hours. Nevertheless, this did not dampen their spirits and the vast majority of them fought on until the end of this non-timing event.
That same afternoon the festival hosted the ‘Wharf to Waves’ 1200 meter ocean swim. With only 36 entrants this event has unofficially been dubbed the ‘smallest ocean swim in history’, yet, the contestants fought hard for the fastest time with first place taken out by a female racer in 13 minutes and 11 seconds.
The main event of the Sparke Helmore NBN Triathlon Festival was held on Sunday. The adult race consisted of 3 categories: Super Short Course, Short Course and Olympic. Participants could enter as an individual or with a team and many took the opportunity to form an alliance with colleagues, friends and family members to have a shot at the gold medal. For some it was a serious sporting event, for others a friendly competition but thanks to the clearing weather in the afternoon everyone, including the spectators, was able to make a great family day of it.
For more information on this event, check out www.sparkenbntriathlon.com.au
Our Role
2012 was the first year 3vent Productions has been involved in this popular Hunter Valley event and assisted long term organiser H Events in the production, set up and running of the complete festival.
Event Images
