Forty is the new 30, according to Kiwi legend Cameron Brown, who set his place in history with victory in Cairns. Turning 42 in two weeks, New Zealand’s Cameron Brown became the oldest man to win an IRONMAN event at today’s Cairns Airport IRONMAN Cairns. Meanwhile, Queensland-based Liz Blatchford was in a class of her own to successfully defend her title with a wire-to-wire win, finishing inside the top 10 professionals overall.
Men’s Race
The men’s race came down to a test of age and wisdom over youth, with Brown using his experience in the trying, wet conditions to outlast Australians Tim van Berkel and Peter Robertson.
Brown, a winner of 11 IRONMAN races in a stellar career, was delighted with his victory. "Becoming the oldest ever winner was motivation for me out there, but I’m sure Craig Alexander or Chris McCormack will try and knock me off now. Forty is the new 30," says Brown. "Tim is a great runner, so I just had to keep pushing. The crowd support is always fantastic here, it’s what gets you to the finish line."
While van Berkel was disappointed not to win, there was no shame in coming second to Brown.
"I really wanted got win, so I am disappointed, the bloody old bastard got me again," van Berkel said. "Second two years in a row here is tough, but all credit to Brownie, he has 11 years on me."
The race began in rain that didn’t let up all day. After negotiating tricky conditions in the swim it was three-time ITU world champion Robertson who exited the water with fellow Australian Casey Munro after the pair had built a lead of over two minutes. The two Australians held their advantage on the bike until Munro punctured at 54 km. Robertson was joined at the 105 km mark by Berkel, Brown, Courtney Ogden, Burton and Finland’s Jarmo Hast to ensure the big hopes were in play for the run.
Robertson, Brown and van Berkel quickly opened up a gap on the run with Robertson dropping back after 12km. By the halfway mark it was the more experienced Brown who started to pull away, going on to win in 8:20.15, just over three minutes clear of a gallant van Berkel.
Robertson, who had drifted back to fourth, managed a final burst to edge out Burton for the final spot on the podium.
Women’s Race
The women’s race was always going to be a Blatchford’s to lose. The defending champion recorded the fifth-fastest swim among all professionals, male and female. She extended her lead to more than six minutes, but a four minute drafting penalty brought second placed Kiwi Melanie Burke into contention.
However, last year’s IRONMAN world championship medallist gradually rebuilt her lead and went on to win in 9:16.58. Burke, who was third at IRONMAN Australia last month, went one better to finish second six minutes back, with Sweden’s Asa Lundstrum third, a further three minutes back.
"It was a solo day for me today until about the 150 km mark of the bike, when I ended up in a big pack of age group men, got a penalty and served it in T2," says Blatchford. "I love Cairns, it’s a special place, and now it’s even more special. I was cold out there today. I've worked out that I run a marathon best when I get out there and run it on my own. I am so happy to have returned and won again."
Men:
Cameron BROWN (NZL) 8:20:14
Tim VAN BERKEL (AUS) 8:23:22
Peter ROBERTSON (AUS) 8:33:25
Matt BURTON (AUS) 8:35:18
Jarmo HAST (FIN) 8:41:23
Women:
Liz BLATCHFORD (GBR) 9:16.58
Melanie BURKE (NZL) 9:22.52
Asa LUNDSTROM (SWE) 9:25.56
Wendy MCALPINE (AUS) 9:51.02
Katy DUFFIELD (AUS) 9:52.46