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The eighth IronMaori drew 1800 entrants to Napier’s Pandora Pond on Saturday.
Organiser Heather Skipworth says there were lots of new faces, as past competitiors brought along whanau and friends.
She says the kaupapa of using half or guarter triathons to promote health and fitness among Maori is clearly working.
Maori no longer see the running-swimming-cycling combo as something for elite athletes, but as something they can enjoy with their whanau.
"The word’s definitely out that anything is possible. I think it is more the whanaungatanga that you get from IronMaori and we notice a lot of non-Maori coming and really feeling they have been embraced by Maori and by the kaupapa," Ms Skipworth says.
IronMaori has confirmed a Taupo nui a Tia event on March 18 with the support of the Tuwharetoa Maori Trust Board.
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