Sponsored: More Than a Race: The Harcourts Marlborough Kids Duathlon

It’s almost time for the annual Harcourts Marlborough Kids Duathlon on Sunday, October 12, 9.00am, an event run by Fairhall School and its supporters as a fundraiser to support Education Outside the Classroom at Fairhall School.

ADRIENNE MATTHEWS

The Duathlon attracts school pupils from as far away as Kaikoura and even inland including Murchison. It’s a great family day out and brings hundreds of people to the beautiful Brancott Estate Vineyard which provides the perfect setting for this fun event.

It is much more than a race. It’s where confidence is built, friendships are forged, and where kids from age 4 through to 18 can challenge themselves and learn what they’re capable of.

Ask anyone who’s been to the event, and they’ll tell you that it’s not about being the fastest. It’s about being there. That’s the message organisers have championed for nearly 20 years and the reason the event has become such a drawcard.

“We always say, it’s about fun, not first place,” says committee chair Tom O’Connor. “It’s not about winning, it’s about finishing, trying something new, and having fun.”

The duathlon is inclusive by design, offering multiple course options based on age and ability. In 2025, kids can choose between:

• Race 1: Run 1km, bike 3km, run 1km

• Race 2: Run 2km, bike 5.5km, run 1km

• ‘Beat the Bear’ fun run: a 500m loop for the youngest racers aged 4–7 (often with parents jogging along beside)

Each race ends in the same way with beaming faces, proud families, and tired legs that somehow still have energy to sprint to the finish.

Despite the enthusiasm seen at events like this, national data about children’s activity paints a concerning picture. According to Sport New Zealand, only 58% of children aged 5 to 17 meet the recommended daily activity levels of at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous movement. That leaves nearly half of Kiwi kids falling short.

The statistics highlight how environmental, social, and emotional factors can prevent children from engaging in regular physical activity.

For many children, the duathlon is a chance to overcome those barriers. One parent shared, “My son was hesitant at first because he’s not usually sporty but seeing other kids just like him gave him the confidence to try. Now he’s telling us he wants to take cycling up more seriously.”

Experts agree that confidence gained through sport can ripple into other areas of life. When kids feel capable in their bodies, they’re more likely to take on challenges in school, in friendships, and beyond. It’s not just the kids who benefit either. Families come together, cheering from the sidelines, sharing post-race snacks, and celebrating every finish.

It wouldn’t be the Harcourts Marlborough Kids Duathlon without an epic prize pool. Thanks to generous sponsors like Bikefit Marlborough, all participants are in the draw to win a brand-new bike and helmet. There’s also a $500 prize for the school with the highest percentage of participants and over 20 raffle prizes, each worth $200 or more, from gourmet food hampers and restaurant vouchers to adventure days, firewood, paintball passes, and winery experiences.

Gearing Up: What You Need to Know

• When: Sunday, October 12, 2025

• Where: Brancott Estate Vineyard, 180 Brancott Road, Fairhall

• Cost: $20 per child (Race 1 & 2) $10 for Beat the Bear

• Online Registration closes: October 7

• Limited entries may be available on the day (entries capped at 500)

Race Day Schedule:

• Race numbers/pre-purchased t-shirts pickup: Bikefit Marlborough (Oct 10–11) or onsite (8:30–9:00am)

• 9.00am ALL BIKES MUST BE IN TRANSITION

• Race Briefing: 9:15am

• Beat the Bear

• Race 1 Start: 9:30am

• Race 2 Start: 10:30am

Think of the environment and bring your own reusable water bottle. Water stations are provided for a top up. The famous baking stall and BBQ (Meaters meat of course!) for refuelling the body is also available throughout the morning.

By lunchtime, the races will be over. T-shirts will be stained with sweat and raffle prizes collected, but what lingers is something more important: the confidence in children’s voices all over the top of the South Island, as they tell their story on Monday and the way their eyes light up when they say, “I did it.”

The Harcourts Marlborough Kids Duathlon is not just about running and biking. It’s about kids showing up, pushing through, and surprising themselves and that’s a finish line worth crossing every time.

To register or find more information go to: www.kidsdu.co.nz