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Three New Zealand triathletes, led by Cameron Brown, have finished on the podium across the Tasman on Sunday at Ironman Cairns.
Brown finished second in the men's race behind Australian David Dellow, while fellow Aucklander Belinda Harper led for much of the day but had to settle for second in the women's ahead of Candice Hammond from Cambridge.
It marked a strong run of form for the 10-time Ironman New Zealand champion Brown, who continues to defy his years, turning 40 later this month. He was third at the weather-shortened Ironman New Zealand in March and runner-up at the inaugural Ironman Melbourne in April, which doubled as the Asian Pacific Championship.
After working with a bunch to catch swim leaders Dellow and fellow Australian Luke Bell on the bike, Brown made his move early on the run. Bell and the kiwi emerged from a five-strong group before Brown pushed clear at the 8km mark, opening up a one minute lead. However Dellow, the former Australian Olympic distance triathlete, moved slowly to close the gap on Brown, who had been suffering from a heavy cold this week.
Dellow made the pass at the 24km mark on the run and went on to record his rookie victory over the Ironman distance in 8:15.04 in the humid conditions, with Brown grabbing second place seven minutes behind.
"I had a cold last week and am still coughing which got me on the run," Brown said. "Still I am very happy with second place today and I will definitely be back next year."
Harper, the 2010 age group Ironman world champion, enjoyed a strong 53.00 swim and excellent bike of 5:00.37 to find herself pushing clear of the pack but five minutes down on former Ironman Australia champion Rebekah Keat after the 180km ride. She had a margin of nine minutes over the closest chasers, Australians Carrie Lester and the experienced Belinda Granger, with Hammond a further six minutes back.
Harper found herself in the lead after Keat withdrew with a calf strain at the 5km mark. Harper began to tire in the heat as Lester began to close the gap, eventually passing the New Zealander with 11kms remaining.
Lester won in a 9:21.00 with Harper holding on strongly in 9:22.34 while Hammond produced the best marathon of the day, with her impressive 3hr10min effort in the heat meaning both kiwis enjoyed their first Ironman podium placings.
Earlier seven-time Ironman New Zealand champion Joanna Lawn finished third in the Ironman 70.3 race.
Results: Cairns Airport Ironman
Men
1. David Dellow (AUS) 8:15.04
2. Cameron Brown (NZL) 8:22.21
3. Jimmy Johnson (AUS) 8:29.36
Also
8. Simon Cochrane (NZL) 9:02.01
Women
1. Carrie Lester (AUS) 9:21.00
2. Belinda Harper (NZL) 9:22.42
3. Candice Hammond (NZL) 9:24.45
