As is always the case at any triathlon or multisport event, you don't need to dig too deep into the entry list to find an amazing array of inspiring stories from those competing.
Cutting across all aspects of society and coming from all walks of life and from all parts of New Zealand, it seems triathletes share a special bond in participation and training, something that sees many great stories of endurance, perseverance and hard work in the face of adversity. All with the common goal, crossing the finish line and collecting their finishers medal, certificate or in many cases the t-shirt that says 'been there and done that.'
Here are a few of those stories from participants in this Sunday's Barfoot & Thompson ITU World Cup event, all are taking part in the age group races over either standard or sprint distance on Sunday morning before the stars of the sport hit the water and roads of downtown Auckland in the elite World Cup races.
INSPIRED BY IRONMAN PARENTS - Alice Barach - Dunedin
Why am I doing the Auckland Barfoot and Thompson ITU World Cup Race? Well triathlon is in the blood it seems.
 Alice Barach with her parents(Photo: Barfoot & Thompson ITU Triathlon World Cup; click to enlarge) |
The 'Barach parents (63 years of age), have been regulars around the Ironman NZ circuit in Taupo over the past ten years. Both notching up 8 Ironman finishes apiece, they are not setting out on a life of easy retirement! Mum most memorably bowing low to the applauding crowds after sprinting down the finish chute at Ironman NZ 2010 in the women's 60 – 65 age group category to finish with just 30 seconds to spare before the official cut off time and final official finisher.
Both headed off to Ironman Kona World Championships in 2008, Dad as official supporter, Mum as competitor, not only finishing near a PB time but also reaching a top bike speed of 99km/hr out on the Queen K highway!
The triathlon bug has not only caught me but my younger sister Polly, who is training for Ironman NZ number 2 and Fiancé Cole, ready for his debut at Ironman NZ, in March 2012.
The 'Barach Parents' not only live and breathe Ironman but are regularly seen around Northland encouraging people of all abilities, shapes and sizes into the sport of Triathlon as well as setting up and organising local events.
I figure if my 63 year old parents are out training, coaching, supporting and racing more than I am, a few nerves about meeting my own expectations (and the deep water start) should not put me off standing on the start line in Auckland 2011!
CANCER NO BARRIER TO KAPITI COAST 70 YEAR OLD - Peter Ellis – Kapiti Coast
When Peter Ellis turned 70, he didn't have a few friends around for a cup of tea and a few scones, he spent the week in triathlon mode, swimming 7km, cycling 700km and running 70km – such is the love for the sport from the former Tri NZ Board Member and current Kapiti Coast Councilor.
But the motivation wasn't just to celebrate entering a new age group for all future triathlon events, Peter took on this challenge to prove to himself he could still be competitive after being diagnosed with Prostate Cancer in July 2010.
Peter underwent Brachytherapy treatment in October 2010 and received a clear report in April 2011. During that 6 month period he also competed in the Contact Series Triathlon in Wellington and will be out to lead home his age group in Auckland on Sunday, proving that age is indeed only a number – one that in this case simply defines which race Peter is competing in.
Peter is a life member of the Kapiti Running and Tri Club and has competed in various Ironman and long distance events, as well as many many other shorter distance triathlons, on the way claiming a number of New Zealand titles.
When not training or competing, Peter is involved in coordinating primary school sports in the Kapiti Coast region.
I OWE MY LIFE TO TRIATHLON - Dreydon Sobanja – Misson Bay, Auckland
As a boy I dreamed of wearing the black singlet as I watched John Walker win Olympic Gold. Until recently, I thought that dream was lost.
In August 2010 I was a very unhappy and overweight man in his late 30's with a drinking problem. I had bottomed out and realised there were only two directions I could go. It was either rise again, or go 6 feet under! Luckily I decided to rise, and I used Triathlon as my vehicle.
In April 2011 I competed in my first Triathlon. By race day I had dropped from 90kgs to 70kgs. My two aims were to finish, and not to embarrass myself. To my surprise I finished a respectable 21st out of the 51 in my age group, and my run time was 7th fastest. I now had something to build upon!
Shortly after this I received the most exciting email of my life ... the announcement of the ITU World Cup to be held in Auckland in November 2011. It wasn't just because I love triathlon, or that it was on my home turf, or that anyone was able to enter, it was because it offered the realisation of a long lost dream ... representing the country I love.
I've surrounded myself with experts, had a complete change of my attitude to life, and worked harder and smarter than I've ever worked before. I owe my current life to Triathlon and I plan to repay it on November the 20th.
TRIATHLON DEFEATS MIDDLE AGE SPREAD - Tom Lanigan – Bucklands Beach, Auckland
When I was a kid I dreamed of representing the country in sport, wearing the silver fern. Slowly as I reached adulthood, I was forced to recognise that I didn't have enough talent to make the grade
So it's quite funny in my senior years, to be presented with an opportunity to do just that, represent the country in age-group triathlon.
I've been doing triathlon recently anyway, just as an incentive to exercise for health and battle middle age spread.
So now I'm excited and motivated to put in a good effort on the day.
YOUNG PROSPECT OVERCOMES TWO ACCIDENTS TO MAKE START LINE - Laura Wood - Christchurch
I am competing at the Barfoot & Thompson ITU Triathlon World Cup event to be part of something extraordinary. It is rare for ITU to hold a World Cup event in New Zealand, and that in itself is exciting to me.
 Laura Wood and Alistair Brownlee(Photo: Barfoot & Thompson ITU Triathlon World Cup; click to enlarge) |
I have though had a bit of bad luck this year, having been hit by a car on two separate occasions. Luckily I only suffered minor injuries but it still meant I had to take some time off. During this time, I realised how much I was obsessed with triathlon as I began the road back into training regimes and habits. I was just extremely grateful not to have broken any bones, as that would've meant even more time away from the sport I love.
The Worlds in Beijing was an amazing experience for me, it was my first international race. I had an awesome time and even managed to get a photo with Alistair Brownlee after his victory!
Nearly at full fitness again after taking a break after Beijing, the Auckland race will be my first Olympic distance race as I look to make the step up from U19 to U23.
FORMER SUPERSTAR RETURNS IN AGE GROUP SUIT - Suzie (aka Sue) Clark
Suzie took part in her first triathlon in 1984, shortly followed by winning the inaugural Auckland and NZ Secondary Schools Triathlon Championships in 1985 and 1986. Early success as a teen was quickly hampered by a torn calf ligament from 1989 to 1991, upsetting fitness for the Commonwealth Games event held in Auckland in 1990.
Sue however made a comeback during the 90's whilst studying towards a Bachelor of Education degree, culminating in winning every National distance title in 1995 from Sprint to Ironman along with the titles in the long and short course Duathlon. With swimming the weak link in her triathlon, the ITU professional circuit did not suit her, and after a few years of NZ summer tri seasons, she eventually retired in 2001 to go work onboard cruise ships as a fitness instructor for a few years.
Having met her current partner five years ago, who decided to get into the sport, she has gradually 'discovered' the passion for triathlon again, and this was further developed when accompanying the World Age Group team as their Assistant Team Manager to the World Champs in Beijing this year. Suzie now has her sights on a 40-44 age group podium finish in 2012, going onto a hopefully a similar result in the 45-49 age group in London 2013.
