Three childhood mates and former triathletes will be going the extra mile at this year’s Tinman Triathlon, tackling all three distances to raise money for Starship children’s hospital.

Triathlon Tauranga puts on the GenX/Marr Tinman Triathlon every November, with this year’s race making a splash on Sunday in Pilot Bay.

Tauranga men Sam Durrant, 31, Andrew Lloyd, 34, and Aiden Dunster, 32, have dusted the cobwebs off their bikes and wetsuits for the occasion. They admitted it had been a while since they competed internationally in their late teens and early 20s.

The trio became friends through Tauranga’s triathlon community and found their way back home as adults and new dads of children aged 3 and under.

Durrant is a fundamental sports skills coach, Lloyd an endurance coach, and Dunster a builder and landscaper. About two months ago, they decided to give the Tinman Triathlon a go.

Dunster, Lloyd and Durrant have represented New Zealand in triathlon in the past. Photo / David Hall

But Durrant said the challenge “got bigger and bigger” the more they talked about the idea.

One of them suggested doing two distances, then another came up with the “crazy” idea of doing all three.

The trio will divvy up the swim, bike, and run for each of the three distances.

Dunster will run while Durrant and Lloyd take turns swimming and biking.

The standard distance involves a 1.5km swim, 40km bike and a 10km run; the sprint involves a 750m swim, 20km bike and a 5km run; and the short distance involves a 300m swim, 13km bike and a 3km run.

Durrant and Lloyd have been fitting in a couple of training swims or bike rides each week.

However, the Tinman will be Dunster’s third race in three weeks, as he competed in two running races over the past two weekends.

Aiden Dunster with daughter Ruby, 2, Andrew Lloyd with son Ludo, 2, and Sam Durrant with daughter Darcy, 3. Photo / David Hall

The former triathletes said they would approach the triathlon with a competitive mindset.

“It’s hard not to,” Durrant said. “But we’re quite realistic now. We’re probably not in the shape we were back then.

“We’re just looking forward to getting back together as a group of mates and having a bit of fun.”

They chose Starship as their charity because “being parents now, you hope that if anyone has to go through hardship with their kids, there’s a great charity like that”.

Starship Foundation chief executive Jo Simon expressed his gratitude towards the trio.

“Every dollar they raise helps fund vital equipment, innovative treatments and the care our young patients rely on.

“A huge thank you to the three tri dads. Your passion and generosity mean so much to Starship families across Aotearoa.”

Triathlon Tauranga events and development manager Paul Miller said it was rewarding for the local triathlon club to see the sport bring the men together.

“They’ve all been on their separate journeys and have reunited through the sport. They’ve used our sport as a vehicle for their fundraising.”

The event followed Tauranga’s recently announced partnership with World Triathlon.

Tauranga will host the World Triathlon Cup in 2026, a World Triathlon Championship Series race in 2027, and the World Triathlon Championship Series Grand Final, Age Group World Championship, and Paratriathlon World Championships in November 2028.

Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston described Tauranga as “the home of triathlon”, with the partnership putting the Bay of Plenty on a global stage.

Donations to the triathlon trio’s Starship fundraiser can be made on their Givealittle page.

Bijou Johnson is a multimedia journalist based in the Bay of Plenty. A passionate writer and reader, she grew up in Tauranga and developed a love for journalism while exploring various disciplines at university. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Classical Studies from Massey University.