Multisport athlete numbers are climbing after a concerted effort at national level to encourage more participation.
The Southern Lakes Multisport Club's 24hr adventure race in Cromwell today has attracted 21 team entries from around the country, delighting organiser Bill Godsall.
The course was to be revealed to athletes at a briefing last night, with racing under way from 6am.
"The weather is looking pretty good for Saturday morning, which is the main thing, as we will be putting them quite high on Saturday morning. In the evening, things should be better because of the lower altitude," he said.
Godsall is also the president of Multisport NZ.
Other positives for the sport included the relaunch of unsupported expedition racing in Queenstown in Easter next year by adventure racing company 100% Pure Racing, after a 22-year absence, and a noticeable increase in interest among secondary school pupils, he said this week.
Five entries were already in for the 2012 South Island secondary school championships despite entries not officially open, and the Goldrush three-day event in March was also attracting good school team entries, he said.
"This all gives us reason to believe the future of the sport is in really good heart," Godsall said.
The organisation had responded to event organisers' concerns about dwindling numbers by working to strengthen club structures, develop strategic plans, collect statistics and prepare coaching manuals.
The organisation was also encouraging private event organisers to consult the national body before introducing new events or dropping established races for financial reasons, because those decisions had an impact on the sporting code and on athlete development, Godsall said.
"That has always been the bone of contention, that there are not enough kayakers," Godsall said.
• Queenstown event organiser Geoff Matthews said this week he hoped to return multisport to its "glory days" with a new one-day race through the Motatapu Valley in March 2013.
The kayak, mountain bike and running race would be held on the same day as other mountain biking, running and triathlon races Matthews organises through the valley.
It will be held every second year, alternating with an adventure run.
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