TRIATHLON

Age-groupers chase dreams at Kellogg's Nutri-Grain IRONMAN New Zealand

By Sports Media NZ

While the focus was on the professional battle that decided titles for Braden Currie and Jocelyn McCauley, there were special moments for the more than 1000 who joined the Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain IRONMAN New Zealand family in Taupo yesterday.

While the professionals chased the more than $115,000 prize purse, the age group competitors from 49 countries were seeking qualifying places for the IRONMAN World Championship in Hawaii and mostly chasing personal achievements.

They were led by the fastest of the age group competitors, Auckland’s Dan Plews, the well-known sports scientist and triathlon coach. He was 10th fastest overall, winning the 35-39 years age group in 8:54.09 for the 3.8km swim, 180km bike and 42.2km marathon run.

The fastest female age-grouper was Emily Loughnan from Western Australia who was sixth fastest overall in 9:56:38, including a course record for the 42.2km marathon run of 3:15:14 in the 25-29 years age group.

Auckland ‘s Tony O’Hagan, who was the No 1 seed for the first IRONMAN New Zealand in Taupo in 1999, is returning to the IRONMAN World Championship as one of the 40 age groupers to secure a qualifying place in Hawaii.

O’Hagan, a leading Kiwi IRONMAN professional for many years, is now one of the country’s leading coaches who had a group of nearly 20 athletes compete in Taupo.

Having finished third in the men’s 50-54 years age group in 10:30:39, O’Hagan secured a qualifying spot for Hawaii.
 
Age group competitors enter Lake Taupo before the start; and one presses on at sunset at Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain IRONMAN New Zealand. Credit: Delly Carr

“I decided just a few days before the entries closed. I had taken and IRONMAN training camp and did a bit more training on top and felt quite good,” O’Hagan said.

“So I decided to enter. I was underdone on the running and that meant it was pretty painful.

“I had decided beforehand that if I was to qualify for Hawaii, and I had some athletes that I coach also qualify, then I would take the spot.

“I am actually looking forward to going through the process of preparing for Kona as an age grouper, juggling all the busy things in our lives as well.”

There were others chasing personal accomplishment including Michele Gunn, formerly from Wellington but now in Auckland. The 25-year-old was involved in the serious car crash 11 years ago, which led to 20 surgeries and the terminal eye injury. She has turned this around, gaining a degree in finance, coping with the personal trauma of losing her mother six years ago and supporting her father who is fighting a long-term cancer battle.

Gunn was the recipient of the Tony Jackson Scholarship, established to honour the iconic figure at IRONMAN New Zealand who completed the event 27 times in a row and motivated many to take up the IRONMAN challenge before he passed away.

She finished in 11:43:34 on one of the most challenging of days with strong winds on the swim and bike to realise her dreams.

“It was amazing experience. From the start the swim was really choppy and I struggled but you know why you are doing it, it’s such a special thing and at no point do you consider hopping out,” Gunn Said.
“I had always heard how amazing the volunteers were but until you get into that position – they were taking off my shoes and absolutely everything. They were amazing.

“I think I will be back. It was special not just crossing the finish line but the whole race. I was constantly remembering why I was doing it and what I had done in the past just to get here.

“How I feel right now is that I have done and IRONMAN … now I can achieve anything. I feel awesome.”

For many, including All Black Ian Jones, it was to tick off a bucket list item. The Sky TV broadcaster and 79-Test All Black completed his long-held ambition to become an IRONMAN, finishing in 11:55:00.

“This was not what I thought it would be … it is so much greater. For me I knew it would be a battle and the conditions were tough. But it was an incredible experience,” Jones said. “The support out there on the course from spectators and from the volunteers was extraordinary and humbling.

“Of course I’ve been around some big sporting moments both as an athlete and as a sports commentator but IRONMAN is unique and incredible. It is hard to put into words but it is quite emotional for me and for my friends and family here supporting me.”

Another was Taupo schoolteacher Harriet Filer, who has been a volunteer at the event for many years, before stepping across the line to become a competitor, and realise her dream, finishing in 13:24:38.
For 40 others it was the opportunity to qualify for the sport’s Holy Grail of the IRONMAN World Championship in Hawaii.

The qualifiers were:
Male qualifiers:
1824 yrs: Jack Schofield (GBR); 2529: Jarrod Harvey (AUS), Charles Legget (AUS); 3034: Jackson Dovey (USA), Jordy Wright (AUS), Jason Schoeman (NZL); 3539: Daniel Plews (NZL), Brodie Madgwick (NZL), Graeme Buscke (NZL); 4044: Brett Isaac (AUS), Alan Bryson (NZL), Jesper Bach (SWE), Nathan Peterson (NZL); 4549: Damien Coad (AUS), Dean Galt (NZL), Jason Morris (NZL), John Nelson (AUS); 5054: Rob Hill (AUS), Ken Glah (USA), Tony O’Hagan (NZL), Michael Glazbrook (AUS); 5559: Stephen Farrell (NZL), John Dickson (AUS); 6064: Tony Dallinger (NZL); 6569: Rob Wylie (NZL); 7579: George Hulse (AUS).

Female, 1824: Florence Loader (NZL); 2529: Emily Loughnan (AUS); 3034: Ling Er Choo (SGP); 3539: Diana Simpson (NZL); 4044: Jo Coombe (AUS), Jodie Barker (AUS); 4549: Kaori Tokai (JPN), Katrina Whaanga (NZL); 5054: Linda Exeter-Grant (NZL), Louise Corbett (NZL); 5559: Janie White (USA); 6064: Nancy Cullen (AUS); 6569: Heather Allison (NZL).
Asia-Pacific Military Division Qualifiers: Male 1829: Joel MacAllister AUS); 30-39: Dominic Lopez (AUS), Cudric Tourneur (FRA), Luke Woodland (AUS); 4049: Paul McKay (AUS), Leigh Coop (AUS); 50plus: Stephen Jones (AUS).
Female 30-39: Megan Webber (AUS); 40-49: Kara Dreflak-Utley (USA); 50plus: Sharon Gunton (AUS).


Details: www.ironman.co.nz
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