The future of the iconic Port of Tauranga Half Ironman event is being kept under wraps as Sport Bay of Plenty confirms it is in talks with an external organisation to run the event.

The event is an icon in the NZ triathlon calendar, doubling as Triathlon New Zealand's Long Distance Championship and attracting the likes of Kiwi stars Cameron Brown and Jo Lawn.

Cameron Brown crossing the line to win the 2014 Port of Tauranga Half Ironman.

It celebrated its 25th anniversary this year and is NZ longest running half ironman.

But a potential change in ownership and organisation is being treated with caution, with one athlete, who did not wish to be named, warning he would boycott the event if it changes hands.

SunLive understands Sport Bay of Plenty has been approached by the global giant World Triathlon Corporation to buy the event.

The WTC is a corporation owned by the US's Providence Equity Partners, organising, promoting and licensing the Ironman Triathlon, Ironman 70.3 and the 5150 series of triathlon races.

WTC own the Ironman brand and run NZ Ironman and the 70.3 Half Ironman in Auckland.

Sport Bay of Plenty marketing manager Melanie Short would not confirm this was the external organisation but did say the sporting body is in talks with another company.

'We are in the process of working with an external event management company to look at how the event can be more successful and I guess create a better experience for everybody,” says Melanie.

'The triathlon market is very busy and there are lots of opportunities for everybody. So we want to make sure this event, which is iconic in the Bay of Plenty and New Zealand, remains at the top of everybody's calendar.”

A Facebook message on the Port of Tauranga Half's page says 'we are looking to release special new plans re: the POT Half and open entries the first week in June”.

'I hope you are all excited!! We've got some pretty special news to share with you.”

Melanie says entries will be opening very soon once the organisation has 'all their ducks in a row”.

But one ironman competitor is concerned with the apparent move and says WTC has a history in the USA of buying competing events and closing them down, before re-branding them or running events in direct competition.

'Many of us would not continue to enter the event if it was run by Ironman,” says the competitor.

'It would be hard to see why volunteers who are so critical for the event, would work for a profit making US corporation as opposed to the current not for profit event where profits are returned to the community.”

WTC last month took over ownership of the Auckland Marathon - New Zealand's biggest road running event.

The race, which dates back to 1936, attracted more than 16,000 participants last year with the course taking in the iconic Auckland Harbour Bridge.

'IRONMAN in the Asia Pacific region operates several events other than purely IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3, both in other triathlon and multisports,” said IRONMAN Asia Pacific chief executive Geoff Meyer.

'We are always looking for opportunities to further develop our brand and have been looking to do more in New Zealand. Adding the Auckland Marathon does just that. This is an iconic sporting event and one in which we believe we can help grow and develop further.”