"You don’t get any better than this in Oamaru," co-organiser Adair Craik said.
About 170 athletes entered in this year’s events, including pupils from schools across the South Island. They were all split into pods to meet Covid-19 restrictions.
Among them was former New Zealand Olympic and Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Andrea Hansen (nee Hewitt), who is making her comeback after taking time out to have a baby, and is aiming for Commonwealth Games selection.
Yesterday, Hansen finished sixth in the elite open event, in 56min 49sec. She was the second-fastest woman, finishing just over a minute after Olivia Thornbury (55min 44sec).
Thornbury, who was competing in Oamaru for the first time, said she was "pretty stoked" with her result, and she was "very grateful" to get the opportunity to race, ahead of three key events she had coming up for Commonwealth Games selection.
Otago’s Janus Staufenberg, who was fourth at the 2020 Oceania Cup and Oceania Championships, won the elite open, in 53min 9sec.
Staufenberg said he was using the Oamaru triathlon as a "bit of a workout" and he was pleased the Oamaru Multisport Club had pushed ahead with the event.
There had been few other opportunities to compete over summer because of the Red traffic light restrictions.
"These elites just inspire these young kids ... to see the pace they go, and how they race, it’s really cool," she said.
"This is fantastic — I mean, I’m always in my element — but I just love it."
There had been a lot more extra work involved in organising this year’s event, to meet restrictions and to host the elite athletes.
Organisers also had the support of three Triathlon NZ officials yesterday, who travelled to Oamaru from Auckland for this year’s event.
