In 2013 the Sparke Helmore / NBN Triathlon Festival celebrated it’s 20th anniversary and with this their amazing achievement of raising in excess of $420,000 for the Newcastle based Hunter Medical Research Institute.
With 4 events hosted in just 3 days, the festival was opened on Friday afternoon with the NewFM Foreshore5, a 5 km fun run/walk for all ages. The weather was not in favour of this event, however over 500 participants finished the course with little trouble.
Then, on Saturday morning it was the kids’ turn to take the spotlight in the Eyeline TriJunior, followed by the woman of the Hunter Region competing in the Westfield Kotara Women’s Triathlon. Due to the bad weather conditions leading up to the race, the waters just off shore that were to host the swim leg of both races were plagued by large logs and other foreign objects which caused the swim to be cancelled due to safety reasons, after assessment by the Race Director. In replacement, both races started with a short run followed by the usual bike ride and run.
Luckily the weather conditions fined up over the weekend and by Sunday the sun was out for the majority of the day, just in time to host the main event of the Sparke Helmore NBN Triathlon Festival. The mixed adults race consisted of 3 categories with various distances to complete: Enticer, Classic 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. With a large number of corporate and team marquees, a large health and fitness expo and one of Australia’s most picturesque working harbours this event created yet again an atmosphere which left a lasting memory for everyone involved.
For more information on this event, check out www.sparkenbntriathlon.com.au
Our Role
In 2013 3vent Productions supplied organiser H Events with an event manager and crew to assist in the production, set up and running of the complete festival.