Huge international field for Mount Festival 2020

Don’t miss this multi-sport festival in early 2020.

The Mount Festival has attracted a large international field to its 2020 event which takes place on Saturday, January 11, 2020.

To date, 25 international athletes have entered the four main events that make up the festival programme in 2020. Internationals have entered from Australia, France, Greece, New Caledonia, Pakistan, Singapore, South Africa, UK and the USA.

In looking at the upsurge in international entries, Mount Festival general manager Lauren Watson says 'the event has gained a really positive name for itself over its 31-year history”.

The 2020 Mount Festival's four key events will transform Mount Maunganui into a multi-sport mecca on January 11.

Headlining the festival is the iconic Tauranga Half, which is being held for the 31st time next year.

For athletes wanting a longer challenge, there is the Enduro event, while for athletes keen to avoid running there is the increasingly popular Hopt Soda Aquabike event. The Mount Run is being expanded in 2020 with a half-marathon (21.1km) distance added to the 5km and 10km options.

'It's run on the historic Tauranga Half course, around the base track of the Mount and along the beach board walk,” says Lauren.

'Each entrant gets a medal, while half marathon participants also receive a sports shirt.”

The start-line for all Mount Festival events is Mount Maunganui's picturesque Pilot Bay.

The festival is an iconic one for the triathlon and Bay of Plenty community, with crowds lining the café filled streets of Mt Maunganui to cheer on the athletes.

More than 1500 athletes are expected in Pilot Bay for the various events, including many of the country's elite long-distance triathletes.

The Tauranga Half is attracting a strong field with defending women's champ Hannah Wells, and ten-time men's champ Cameron Brown already confirmed to be on the start line on January 11 next year.

For local athletes wanting to challenge themselves with an athletic endeavour in the New Year, entries are open at: www.mountfestival.kiwi

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