Triathlons—the real test

Press, 23 March 1985, Page 80

Triathlons —the real test

By

KEVIN TUTTY

Triathlons, which are becoming as popular in New Zealand as one-day cricket, and a cold beer on a warm day, arrive in New Zealand in earnest tomorrow. At 7 a.m. tomorrow, more than 200 competitors will cram the foreshore at Mission Bay in Auckland for the start of the Double Brown Ironman triathlon. Eight hours later the first wrung out body should cross the finish line after completing a 3km swim, a 160 km cycle leg, and a 32km run to win what could in future years become a coveted title. On the surface triathlons are strictly for the most dedicated of hedonists, but

in reality they are for the totally dedicated athlete who has perhaps not been able to reach the pinnacle they have sought in oue of the three triathlon disciplines — swimming, running and cycling. Tomorrow’s event contains some of the best exponents of the sport, including Dave Scott, who has four times won the Hawaii Ironman triathlon, regarded as the supreme event. The Auckland contest should be completed in eight hours — it has a 32km run to conclude it — but the Hawaii event lasts nine hours and has a full marathon to finish. Scott won last year’s Hawaii event in less than nine hours for the first time. But he will not be

without competition tomorrow. Eighty-seven Americans have entered the Auckland event and all are seeking a place in the Hawaii contest, which has a restricted entry. Last year 5690 submitted entries and only 1006 were chosen. Canterbury’s triathlon expert, John Hellemans, has not entered. He is preparing for other contests of the same nature. The first New Zealand man and woman to finish tomorrow will win a trip to the Hawaii triathlon later in the year. There are also many Americans who will be hoping to compete in Hawaii, and they are required to qualify in an official triathlon, and have

therefore ventured to Auckland. Among the better known New Zealanders entered are Graham Deed, a competent runner and the brother of Allison Roe; Mike Hughes, a former New Zealand cycling representative; and Roger Nevatt, another cyclist who was verging on national selection. The event is a mammoth task in logistics. There are approximately four officials for each competitor. The organiser of the event, Mr Malcolm Boyle said there will be more than 800 officials and eight doctors engaged.

In addition there is a bevy of news media people including representatives from American television and newspapers.