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contact
duathlon series
Desired Outcome: Increase participation and profile of Duathlon
Strategic Initiative: To promote participation in triathlon and drive the profile
the sport through the delivery of a high quality National Series
Reduced to two events (from three in 2009) the Contact
Duathlon Series (CDS) has taken on a north versus south
venue structure with Feilding and Christchurch remaining
as the series locations. The first event on the calender
Feilding, being the selection race for the World Duathlon
Championships; the second Christchurch, bearing the title
of the National Duathlon Championships as well as the
National Schools Duathlon Championships.
Due to the Tri NZ financial year, this report covers the last
race of the 2009 Series, being the National Championships
in Feilding as well as the National Selection race held
in May 2010, being the first race of the 2010 Contact
Duathlon Series.
Participation
The National Championships (August 2009) event
was well attended with the event combining with the
Nationals Schools Duathlon Championships. A total of 291
participants took part, exceeding the total participation
at the first two events of the 2009 Series (Christchurch
& Auckland). The Feilding event (May 2010) saw 110
participants take part in the event with the majority filling
the Standard Distance field in hope of qualifying for the
World Duathlon Championships in Scotland in September.
These numbers were similar to the equivalent event in
Christchurch the previous year.
These numbers were lower than expected. With the
series in its second year and the reduction to two events
it was anticipated that fields of approximately 200-300
participants could be obtained. Questions need to be
asked about the need for two events; the timing and the
popularity of the sport.
Marketing
The marketing budget does not allow for much promotion
of the series. The series relies on email communications
to the Tri NZ membership database; the distribution of
promotional flyers through partners and retailers; website
traffic and Radio Sport coverage. Despite the lack of
marketing dollars the campaign was started early and
entries were open in February 2010 to capture any interest
from participants in the Contact Tri Series.
Media
Media coverage for the CDS is by way of media release
through Tri NZ Media Manager Andrew Dewhurst both
before and after each event. Media pick up was well
received in local print media.
Race Delivery
The 2010 CDS delivery structure saw an Event Manager
based at head office (Haidee Stratford) with a local
competition manager taking responsibility for on site
logistics at each of the venues. Tri NZ would like to
thank the following competition managers who did a
fantastic job in the delivery of the CDS; Grant Spiers
of the Manuwatu Triathlon Club (Feilding); Ted Pearce
(Christchurch). Despite the low number of participants
both events were delivered to a high standard.
Thanks for your support
The CDS is a successful event series due to the continued
support of a number of groups. Tri NZ would like thank the
following groups for their unyielding support:
Sponsors:
Contact Energy (principal partner)
2XU
Suzuki
Asics
Hawaiian Tropic
House of Travel
Council Support:
Christchurch City Council
Services:
Sports Timing New Zealand
St Johns
Looking Forward
In its current format it is unlikely that the participation or
profile will increase. A full debrief will be undertaken at the
conclusion of the series to access its viability.
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