The Contact National Schools Triathlon Championships will be hosted at Pegasus, just north of Christchurch, in March next year.

The event will return to Pegasus after it was forced to relocate to Jack’s Point (Queenstown) in 2011 in the immediate aftermath of the earthquakes. Pegasus will host the Contact National Schools Triathlon Champs on March 21st (triathlon) and 22nd (open water swim) 2013.

Tri NZ Event Manager Kate Blood is excited about a return to a great venue.

“Pegasus is a wonderful venue for the Contact Schools Nationals, with its man-made lake, flat and smooth roads and picturesque run around the lake it is perfect for an event such as this. Were it not for the earthquakes the event would I’m sure have already established a strong south island home at Pegasus but I’m confident that 2012 will be the start of a long association with the event.”

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker is delighted that an event of such significance is to be hosted in the region.

“As Christchurch continues to rebuild its infrastructure and community spirit, it is vital that we encourage events of this magnitude to return to our region. The influx of visitors to the Contact Schools Triathlon Championships from around New Zealand will provide a welcome boost to our economy. Don’t underestimate also though the wonderful fillip for the locals who will enjoy competing at a superb venue on their own doorstep; Pegasus is a real gem and will I’m sure host a wonderful championship.”

The event was held this year at Karapiro and with that venue fast becoming established as the home of the event in the North, schools may well be able to plan long term as the event continues to reflect the growth and popularity of the sport.

“In the four years since Tri NZ has been running this event it has enjoyed steady growth, with the 2012 event in Karapiro seeing almost 1000 participants take part,” said Blood.

“With any schools based event it is important that we provide some sort of travel equaliser to help with schools ability to send teams each year. Pegasus is going to be a wonderful venue so we hope to see the South Island out in force but also the North Island schools continuing to support the event, with the ability now to plan for March next year.”

Blood said the hosting of the event at Pegasus has been made possible in part thanks to the great support of the Christchurch City Council.

“The City Council has been great in their support and understanding, first with the need to move the event in 2011 but more so they have been instrumental in bringing the event back in 2013. The infrastructure is now in place to host such an event, with accommodation, hospitality and support services ready to welcome participants and supporters to the region in March next year.”

The event will see national titles on the line from Years 7 & 8 to the elite U16 and U19 grades, with a growing list of stars having their names engraved on the schools trophies.

Once again after a successful introduction to the programme, the same venue will host the national Open Water Schools Swim Champs. This will follow the triathlon with participants wishing to compete in both able to do so, or pure swimmers invited to perhaps play a part in a team relay on the Thursday before swimming for titles on the Friday at the same venue.

Entries will go live online early in 2013, with details posted on www.triathlon.org.nz and communicated to schools, tri clubs and the wider media.