Experienced triathlon stars chase success in Port of Tauranga Half

New Zealand’s most successful endurance triathletes Cameron Brown and Jo Lawn have the chance to extend their remarkable records in the Port of Tauranga Half at Mt Maunganui on Saturday.

Brown, 38, is chasing his eighth victory in the event where he made his name while Lawn is seeking her third win in the 22nd running of arguably the most popular triathlon in the country.

Brown came of age as a long distance triathlete when he first won at Mount Maunganui 13 years ago and he is keen to ensure it is not an unlucky anniversary on Saturday. He warmed up with victory in the Contact Series race at Whangamata this week.

Lawn won back to back in 2006 and 2007 and has regularly finished on the podium. She will come up against three time winner Rebekah Keat from Australia in the likely battle for the honours.

For Brown and Lawn the race is a key litmus test towards their preparations for Ironman New Zealand in March with the pair winning that event 16 times between them.

Victory will also provide further national honours with the race doubling as the official Triathlon New Zealand long distance championships.

The men’s battle features teenager Michael Poole defending his title against a field including Brown, 2008 winner Kieran Doe, the Bowstead brothers, James and Mark, Gold Coast Half runner-up Callum Millward and Graham O’Grady, who was well performed in the US this year.

Leading the way in the women is Lawn, Keat, fellow Australian Nicole Ward, Sydney-based kiwi Anna Cleaver and local hope Janine Simpson.

Winners of 25 Port of Tauranga titles are competing including three time winner Tony O’Hagan and 1996 winner Walter Thorburn, both now successful coaches. Inaugural women’s winner Karen Williams and 1994-1995 champion Suzie Clark are also taking part as individuals.

Second year winner Dave Bradding (Hamilton) is back in a team, as is 1992-1993 champion Megan Dalton, while Auckland’s Nathan Richmond, who set the new course record with his victory in 2006, is in a team with his wife Anna.

Auckland’s Belinda Harper, who won the 35-39 years division at the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii three months ago, is also competing in a team at Mount Maunganui before she makes her professional debut in Ironman New Zealand.

In the women’s team event Team Shorebreak look to be the form team with Marina Fowell as the anchor along with No Nuts Just Guts team with Marnie Oberer, a strong runner and well known television personality.

In the men’s team event, there looks to be a three-way battle between the team of triathletes Stephen Sheldrake, Peter Murphy and Ryan Sissons, Team Power Balance with Brent Foster, Karl Murray and Ben Ruthe and the local team of Rehab Physio with Nathan Capp, Commonwealth Games cyclist Gordon McCauley and Jason Cameron.

The Port of Tauranga Half is not complete without the team of locals in Super Sid Salek, Don Robinson and Graham Stewart with a combined 223 years of experience – fittingly called The Old Farts again.

Triathlon is a sport for ages with two entrants in the men’s 75-79 years age category in Taupo’s Neil Fleming, after his top-10 effort in Hawaii last year, and Auckland’s Laurie Wesley while the remarkable Tiare Lund is the oldest female in the 65-69 years age group.

There’s also interest in the efforts of television broadcaster Peter Williams in just his second ever triathlon, hoping to beat the seven hour 15 minute cutoff for the 2km swim, 90km bike and 21km run. He is also raising money for the Look Good Feel Better Foundation which helps women restore and enhance their appearance during and after cancer treatment. The Foundation helped Williams and his family when his late wife Cecile was diagnosed with cancer 15 years ago.

Racing starts at 6.30am on Saturday with the men’s winner expected by 10.15am