Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Ironman New Zealand - Updates

Estonia's double Olympian Marko Albert has the lead on to the bike in the revamped Kellogg's Ironman New Zealand race in Taupo today.

Postponed from yesterday and reduced to a 70.3 (half Ironman distance) because of the storm that hit the region, today is fine, cold and clear.

Albert had a 35 second advantage out of the 1.9km swim in 24:13 from US-based kiwi James Cotter. But big guns were all together out of the water 1min 20sec behind the leader including last year's runner-up Terenzo Bozzone, Australian-based kiwi Guy Crawford, German Olympic distance athlete Sean Donnelly, Belgium's Marina Vanhoenaker, 10-time winner Cameron Brown, Frenchman Romain Guillaume, Australians Aaron Farlow and Tim Reed and Germany's Torsten Abel.

American Meredith Kessler, the Ironman Canada winner, clocked a slick 26:39 in the women to open a 1min 10sec advantage over seven-time champion Joanna Lawn, fellow New Zealanders Gina Crawford and Belinda Harper.

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The revamped Kellogg’s Ironman New Zealand could not be scripted better with Cameron Brown, Terenzo Bozzone and Belgian Marino Vanhoenaker leading a group out on to the run.

The trio led a group of eight on to the 21km run in fine conditions in Taupo today.

Postponed from yesterday and reduced to a 70.3 (half Ironman distance) because of the storm that hit the region, today is fine, cold and clear.

Bozzone, the 2008 Ironman 70.3 world champion, Vanhoenaker, the fastest Ironman athlete in history and Brown, the 10-time champion in Taupo were joined by Ironman K winner Aaron Farlow (Australia) on to the run following the 90km bike.

Five seconds back were Australian Tim Reed, Perth-based kiwi Guy Crawford followed by swim leader Marko Albert (Estonia) and Frenchman Romain Guillaume.

Meanwhile American Meredith Kessler, the Ironman Canada winner, continues to lead the women’s race with a handy advantage over Kiwis Belinda Harper, Joanna Lawn and Gina Crawford near the end of the bike.

Live coverage: www.ironman.com