THE SUPER SPRINT YOU DIDN’T KNOW YOU NEEDED
AKL21 – The Super Sprint Triathlon With Serious Bite
500 m swim · 16 km bike · 4.5 km run
Welcome to the AKL21 — a super sprint triathlon designed for athletes who want all the excitement of swim-bike-run, packaged into a fast, achievable, high-energy 21 km.
This is the race that gets people hooked.
Event Details
Date: Saturday 9th 10 May 2026
Location: Selwyn Reserve, Mission Bay
Air Temperature: 17–22°C
Water Temperature: 17–18°C
Distances
Swim: 500m
Bike: 16 km (1 long lap of the 16 km loop)
Run: 4.5 km (1 × 4.5 km lap)
Swim Course
Bike Course
Run Course
- Silicone swim cap
- Personalised race number
Plus, all the race-day essentials that make everything run like clockwork:
- Professional timing
- Aid stations fully stocked with goodies
- On-site medical support
- Closed roads and strict no-drafting racing
You focus on the race — we’ll take care of everything else.
We’ve got a stack of epic spot prizes up for grabs — from wetsuits to gear bundles and surprise giveaways!
Prizegiving kicks off at 2:30 pm, so grab a long lunch at one of the local cafés, refuel, relax, and then come back to soak up the atmosphere. It’s always a great way to wrap up the day — celebrating the legends who raced and maybe walking away with something special yourself.
Swim — 1 hour (average ≈ 3:00 per 100 m)
Bike — 3 hours 30 minutes (average ≈ 23 km/h)
Run — cut-off 2:30 pm
Bike course closes at 10:30 am, and the run cut-off is 11:30 am (though you can still finish under your own steam if you’re determined to get it done — we’ll keep the clock running a little past “pack-down o’clock,” just without marshals).
Live all day on race day — so your friends and family can track exactly how long you really spent in transition. The link will go live on the website and be posted to Facebook on race morning.
Only the best — thanks to our mates at Swim Shop, every athlete scores one of the best silicone swim caps in triathlon with their entry.
A couple of quick reminders:
• Make sure your race number is clearly displayed on your helmet — it helps us identify you on the bike if we need to.
• And don’t forget to have your run number visible on the run. If you’re not keen on punching safety-pin holes through your trisuit, grab yourself a race belt—easy, clean, and way less stress on race morning.
Auckland Triathlon Clubs – Get Connected
Joining a club is hands-down the fastest way to improve, stay motivated, and enjoy the sport more.
You get structured sessions, safe group training, and a community that has your back on race day — and during training when it matters most.
Below are the main triathlon and multisport clubs across the wider Auckland region, including Central, North Shore, West Auckland, and Whangaparāoa / Hibiscus Coast.
Auckland City Triathlon Club (ACTC)
Central Auckland
One of New Zealand’s biggest and best-established triathlon clubs, supporting all levels from beginners to elite age-groupers.
Website: https://www.aucklandcitytri.co.nz
North Harbour Triathlon Club (NHTC)
North Shore / Takapuna
Strong community club with regular coached sessions, perfect for new athletes and long-course competitors.
Website: https://www.nhtc.org.nz
Email: northharbourtriclub@gmail.com
Hibiscus Coast Harriers & Triathlon Club (Whangaparāoa)
Whangaparāoa Peninsula
A combined running and tri club with a friendly atmosphere, welcoming beginners through to experienced athletes.
Website: https://www.hibiscuscoastharriers.co.nz
Waitakere Triathlon & Multisport Club
West Auckland
A supportive, social multisport club offering training across swim, bike, run, plus adventure and endurance events.
Website: https://www.waitakeretriclub.com
Coaches & Training Groups in Auckland
Foot Traffic Endurance Sport Coaching
Triathlon, cycling, running and endurance coaching with structured personalised plans.
Website: https://www.foottrafficcoaching.com
Boost Coaching
Auckland-based triathlon coaching specialising in customised long-course programmes.
Website: https://www.boostcoaching.co.nz
Fit For Fun Triathlon Coaching
Skills-focused tri, swim, bike and run coaching with strong ties to the North Harbour tri community.
Website: Search “Fit For Fun Triathlon Coaching” on Google
GENERAL RULES
- Look after yourself and each other — if another athlete is in trouble, stop and help or alert the nearest marshal.
- Follow all instructions from marshals, lifeguards, medical staff, police, and event crew.
- Your race number must be visible at all required times (helmet on the bike, bib on the run).
- No outside assistance (pacing, mechanical help, food/drink hand-offs from supporters).
- No earbuds, headphones, or music at any time.
- Respect other athletes — no pushing, blocking, cutting in, or unsafe behaviour.
- Know the course. It is your responsibility to follow the correct route.
SWIM RULES
- You must wear your official event swim cap for visibility and safety.
- Wetsuits are optional but recommended
- Follow the marked swim course — buoys must be kept on the correct side and no cutting corners.
- No deliberate physical contact, dunking, or interference with other swimmers.
- If you need help, roll onto your back and raise an arm. Assistance from lifeguards does not result in DNF.
- If you exit the water, you must re-enter at the same point if continuing. No shortcuts.
BIKE RULES (NON-DRAFTING – STRICTLY ENFORCED)
No Drafting – Key Points
- Minimum 10 metres gap between you and the rider ahead (measured front wheel to front wheel).
- Once you enter the draft zone, you must complete your pass within 30 seconds.
- After being passed, you must drop back out of the draft zone — no re-passing until clear.
General Bike Rules
- Your helmet must be fastened before you touch your bike, and stay fastened until your bike is racked again in transition.
- Your race number must be clearly visible on your helmet.
- Keep left unless overtaking and watch out for Short Lap Zones as people will pull off to the right to turn when needed.
- No littering at all on the course.
- No riding in transition — mount and dismount only at the marked lines.
- Your bike must be roadworthy:
Working brakes
Bar ends sealed
No loose accessories - No riding dangerously or weaving through traffic or other athletes.
- Obey all road rules as directed by marshals and traffic management.
RUN RULES
- Your run bib must be visible from the front at all times.
- Keep left unless overtaking.
- No headphones or earbuds. Audio is allowed but not encouraged.
- Use footpaths and marked cones — do not cut corners or leave the marked route.
- Respect other runners and volunteers — share the path and communicate when passing.
- No littering — dispose of cups, gels, and waste only at aid stations.
SPORTSMANSHIP & SAFETY
- We race hard, but we race fair.
- Help each other, encourage each other, and look out for each other.
- If someone is injured, distressed, or clearly struggling, alert a marshal immediately.
- The goal is for everyone to finish safely and have an incredible day out on the course
General Training Tips
- Consistency beats perfection — show up more than you smash yourself.
- Build gradually. Don’t go from couch to Kona in one Tuesday.
- Recovery is training — sleep, rest days, stretching, all of it counts.
- Listen to your body. Soreness? Normal. Sharp pain? Stop.
- If your motivation dips, train with a buddy or jump in with a club session.
- Train in the gear you’ll race in — surprises on race day are never fun.
- Keep notes: what worked, what didn’t, and what nearly killed you.
- Strength training (twice a week) pays off hugely in the long run.
Swim Tips
- Get in the open water weekly — pool swimmers become race swimmers in the ocean.
- Practice sighting every 6–10 strokes so you stay straight.
- Follow the bubbles in front of you — free drafting!
- Learn to relax when it’s crowded; chaos is normal for the first 200–300m.
- Work on bilateral breathing — gives options when wind/chop hits.
- If you're panicking, switch to breaststroke or float on your back until calm.
- Practice removing your wetsuit quickly — it saves minutes in transition.
Bike Tips
- Ride consistently — fitness and confidence on the bike come slowly but surely.
- Practice clipping in/out until it’s second nature.
- Ride in groups — it builds road sense, confidence and safety awareness.
- Work on hills: seated, standing, and controlled descents.
- Learn your gearing so you’re not “grinding butter with a spoon.”
- Practice bike handling: tight turns, mounting, dismounting, reaching for bottles.
- Keep your cadence around 85–95rpm for efficiency.
- Do some rides on your race bike to get used to the fit and feel.
- No headphones — stay alert, stay safe.
Run Tips
- Don’t run too fast too often — the easy runs matter more.
- Add weekly off-the-bike runs (“bricks”) so race day doesn’t feel like jelly-leg roulette.
- Keep your form tall with relaxed shoulders and fast, light feet.
- Mix terrain: road, grass, trails — helps with resilience and technique.
- Use strides (short, fast bursts) 1–2× per week to sharpen leg speed.
- Learn your sustainable pace — the one you can hold without blowing up.
Transition Tips
- Layout your gear in order: swim → bike → run.
- Practice transitions like a drill. A smooth T1/T2 is “free time.”
- Helmet on & clipped before touching the bike.
- Race belt for fast and no-stress number changes.
- Know your racking spot so you don’t do laps of transition like a confused meerkat.
Nutrition & Hydration Tips
- Don’t try anything new on race week.
- Find a gel/drink combo that sits well with you.
- Eat early on long rides — fuel before you bonk.
- Hydrate daily, not just on training days.
- Race-day breakfast: simple, predictable, practiced.
- Electrolytes matter more than you think — especially on hot days.
Mindset & Safety Tips
- Look after each other — if someone’s struggling, check in or call for help.
- Train in conditions you expect on race day: wind, rain, chop.
- Visualise the course — knowing what’s coming calms nerves.
- Don’t fear bad sessions; they happen to everyone.
- Celebrate progress — even the tiny wins add up.
- Smile in training. Sounds cheesy, works like magic.
Race-Specific Tips
- Know the course, know the rules, and know where the aid stations are.
- Set 3 goals: Dream, realistic, and “if everything goes sideways.”
- Don’t explode on the bike — save your legs for the run.
- Keep nutrition on schedule; don’t wait until you're desperate.
- Be adaptable — weather, water chop, and the day can change quickly.
- Thank the volunteers — they’re the reason you get to race.