The ŌT
In November 2022, we were delighted to bring the popular Ōtaki Triathlon back to Haruātai Park.
Now called the ŌT or Tauwhāinga-Toru 2022, this was a sprint-distance triathlon across spectacular open spaces, native bush and Ōtaki beachfront, and a great opportunity to build fitness while having a blast. For experienced triathletes, it was an awesome way to gently kickstart the 2022/23 season with some of the best terrain and views the Kāpiti Coast has to offer.
The ŌT celebrates Ōtaki and aims to support the wellbeing of our people. All profits will be used to fund swimming lessons for at-risk tamariki (children).
Starting from the newly refreshed Ōtaki Pool complex in Haruātai Park, participants took part in a 400-metre swim, a 20-kilometre bike ride, and finish with a 5-kilometre run.
Following the 400-metre swim, participants rode the back streets of the Ōtaki township on bike to the beachfront and back twice, before finishing with three trips around the Haruātai Park trail – a mixture of flat grounds and slight inclines, surrounded by thriving native bush.
This was a sprint-distance triathlon; course maps are available on the registration page.
Take up the challenge
You could enter as an individual or as part of a team in one of the following categories:
- ŌT Sprint (Aqua and bike and run)
- ŌT Aqua and bike
- ŌT Aqua and run
- ŌT Team sprint (Aqua and bike and run)
Aqua bike, aqua run and ebike options were also available in the following categories:
- ŌT E-spint (Aqua and e-bike and run)
- ŌT Aqua and e-bike
- ŌT E-team sprint (Aqua and e-bike and run)
Entry was $35 for individuals or $80 for team. All entrants received an event t-shirt.
Race schedule
5.45am: Sunrise
6am: Registration opens
6.20am: Transition opens
7.30am: Registration closes
7.45am: Transition closes
7.50am: Racing briefing from race director, technical official and road management
8am (approx): First person in the water
9.30am (approx): First finisher
10am (approx): Last biker in
10.01am (approx): Last runner out, open transition for people to take bikes out
10.45am (approx): Last runner expected in
Train with us
In the lead-up to the ŌT, we offered group run and swim training sessions to help you build your fitness and connect with others in our community.
We offer a supportive and safe environment for all abilities to help you step outside of your comfort zone and tackle your personal goals.
Coached running programme
Our coached 0–5 kilometre running programme helped participants go from the couch to running 5 kilometres in 10 weeks. The programme was $75.
This programme was ideal for anyone:
- wanting to learn to run
- coming back from injury
- wanting to improve their running in a fun social group.
Coached swimming lessons
To help build your confidence in the water, we also ran coached swimming lessons for adults. Sessions were 6pm on Tuesday nights starting 20 September, for the cost of normal pool entry ($5.50). It was coached by a Level Two British Triathlon Federation coach with nine years' experience – a great way to improve your form.
No need to register, you could just drop in to Ōtaki Pool on Tuesdays from 6pm.
Transition and bike skills training
We also offered sessions on transition training and bike skills.
Meet some the participants taking up the challenge
Meet Shelley
Friends don’t let friends do triathlons alone.
Aquatics Programmes and Events Manager and Acting Manager at Ōtaki Pool, Shelley was super excited about getting in the pool for the Ōtaki Triathlon – and she’s recruited some help to tackle the rest of the events. Steve and Daniel, also from our Aquatics Team, took on the run and bike ride to share the load.
“I know I can definitely do the distance which is 12 lengths of the pool but there might be some huffing and puffing at the end,” says Shelley.
So, why did Shelley take on this challenge?
“This is an awesome event to challenge yourself in a safe and supportive environment, and such a cool opportunity for our community to experience a beautiful part of Kāpiti.”
Meet Penny
It’s a family affair for our wonderful Ōtaki Pool receptionist Penny.
She tackled the Ōtaki Triathlon with her mum Pip and husband Tia. Her three children were on the sidelines cheering for them all.
“Mum is super fit and loves these kinds of things but can’t do the whole event herself because of an injury so I’m going to do the 5km run,” says Penny.
Penny tagged along to the Wednesday night group running sessions and was inspired by the at mix of people giving it a go.
“This is my first multisport event and they have always felt intimidating and unwelcoming. The ŌT has been the complete opposite – it’s a really supportive group of people, all at different fitness levels. It’s not about being the fastest; it’s about having a good time.”
