Leading New Zealand Ironman triathlete Cameron Brown has enjoyed a perfect final hit out ahead of the World Ironman Championships in Hawaii next month with a comfortable victory at the Ironman 70.3 Centrair Tokoname, Japan today.
Brown recovered from a below par swim to win by over 5 minutes from a field that included many of Japan's best Ironman athletes and a smattering of European competitors.
"I had a good start and was on the feet of the Hideo Fukui but halfway through the swim I was over heating in my wetsuit with the 25c water temperature! I started to feel like crap and just couldn't keep a rhythm going. I came out around 1:45 down and immediately tried to make inroads to the guys in front.."
Brown did just that though with an impressive ride, reeling in the leaders quickly and establishing control heading into the run.
"The bike course was pretty tough, it only had small hills but they were relentless, also the amount of tight turns we also had to negotiate really slowed us down. I finally took the lead at the 60km mark on the bike and I was now trying to put some time between myself and the others. Off the bike I had a lead of around 3:30mins to Olympian Hideo Fukui, the temperature was hitting 31-32c so it was great pre race conditions for Hawaii."
From that point Brown was in complete control once heading on to the run and was able to look ahead to Hawaii as well as keep an eye on his nearest rivals in Japan.
"The run leg was pretty cool, the athletes would finish at Nagoya's International airport which is on a man made Island separated from the main land, we had to cross over on a 1.5km bridge, this was a huge coup for the organizers as no one is allowed to cross the bridge by foot or bike(cars only). I was increasing my lead over Hideo who was now starting to suffer and I could see him at every turnaround - of which there were around 12 in total so you could keep an eye out for your competitors.
"The run leg went fairly smoothly and I was able to run at a comfortable pace and not kill my self, The Hawaii Ironman is only 3 weeks away so it was important not to do any damage on the run leg especially with the heat. I crossed the line in 1st place with Fredick Croneburg from Sweden 6mins back in 2nd and Japan's Nishiuchi Hiroyuki in 3rd."
Brown will head back to his training base in Hawaii now to put the finishing touches on his preparation for another attempt at a world title, one that has so far eluded the consistent Kiwi. Conditions in Japan though will certainly have helped Brown's body to get ready for the heat and humidity of Kona.
Japan 70.3 Half Ironman Results
1. Cameron Brown NZL 4:12:00
2. Fredrik Croneborg SWE 4:18:36
3. Hiroyuki Nishiuchi JPN 4:20:26
4. Kuniaki Takahna JPN 4:21:00
5. Masayuki Matsumanru JPN 4:21:59
