One of New Zealand's most iconic triathlon events is attracting athletes, from sporting heroes to beginners, to Mount Maunganui today.

The Sovereign Tri Series begins with the Sovereign Tri Tinman at Pilot Bay, with Silver Fern netballer Laura Langman trying triathlon for the first time.

The Jennian Homes New Zealand Aquathlon Championships at Pilot Bay tomorrow, as is the Sovereign Tri Tinman event. Photo by ScottyT Photographer.

The main event at invites athletes to complete a 1500m swim, 36km bike and 10km run, with shorter courses for the less advanced.

Despite establishing herself as one of the world's premier players on the netball court, Laura, aged 28, admits she's unsure how the triathlon will play out.

'This is my triathlon debut. Sometimes I think I don't know myself that well so I'm not sure how I'll react once the race starts.”

There's also the inaugural Sovereign CEO Challenge, where CEOs are challenged to encourage employees to take part with $25,000 up for grabs to be donated to a chosen charity. The Sovereign Tinman starts 8am at Pilot Bay.

This weekend also features the Jennian Homes New Zealand Aquathlon Championships at Pilot Bay tomorrow.

From 8.15am, participants will complete a 1km swim in Pilot Bay and 5km run around Mauao. A shorter course is available for children and teenagers aged 11-15.

Event organiser Sheryl McLay is expecting this year's event to be bigger than 2013, with more than 150 entries so far.

Sheryl says the aquathlon is a good opportunity for younger athletes to get a taster of the sport.

'We've got about 35 in the age 11-15 course. We do tend to get the best of the age groupers.”