Preparing for the world duathlon in Queensland this month, Mid Canterbury athlete Emma Waite is spending 10 -12 hours a week in training undertaking running and swimming, strength and core work.
Waite, a former horse rider, decided to improve her fitness so took up multi-sports events.
Her strongest event is cycling.
In January 2023 Waite competed in the Canterbury Classic Standard Distance Duathlon.
‘‘I received an unexpected email from Tri New Zealand saying ‘your race time has qualified for the Standard Duathlon at the World Multi-Sport Champs in Ibiza in April 2023.
‘‘Let us know if you would consider being part of the team’,’’ Wait said.
‘‘Unfortunately, I only had two months’ notice which didn’t give me enough time to come up with the money and train specifically for the race. ‘‘I decided to make qualifying for the same race a 2024 goal.
‘‘I had enough time to become a stronger runner and stronger on the bike.’’
In January this year she competed in the same race at the Canterbury Classic to finished fifth overall female and third in her age category (20-29) against a very competitive bunch of young athletes.
Waite’s motivation for taking part in the world event is to achieve her goal of continuing to take on more challenging race.
She enjoys the challenge of competing and the atmosphere associated with the racing.
‘‘I am proud to be representing my country in the 25-29 year age group and to be wearing the silver fern.
‘‘My goal is to get a podium finish,’’ Waite said.
Attendance at the world event, from August 15-20, is a self-funded event and following the world’s Waite’s plans to qualify for bigger races.
She has competed in two Coast to Coast events.
In 2023 she was the runner in a team of three females in the two day competition coming out the winners.
This year she was the runner and cyclist in a two person team, with the team placing fourth.
A month after the Coast to Coast she competed in her first ever half Ironman in Taupo.
‘‘I’m incredibly lucky with my job as the company (Anzco Foods) are a big sponsor of the race and run a competition to sponsor a bunch of staff which I was lucky enough to win a spot.
‘‘We got a free entry, accommodation, flights, nutritionist and coach as part of the package.
‘‘It was an awesome race, and I was rather happy to finish eighth in my age category out of 45 other females.’’
