Less than three months after hosting one of the best attended IRONMAN 70.3 World Championships in history, Taupo will once again welcome hundreds of athletes and their supporters from around the world to the 41stedition of ANZCO Foods IRONMAN New Zealand.
The 2025 event, which also includes IRONMAN 70.3 New Zealand, takes place on Saturday 1 March with more than 2,000 registered athletes set to take part across both events.
Wayne Reardon, Race Director of IRONMAN New Zealand and IRONMAN 70.3 New Zealand, said the team was looking forward to welcoming athletes and their supporters, alongside the many volunteers, supporters and stakeholders, back to the event for another year.
“On behalf of our team and the Taupo community, I’m delighted to welcome athletes and their whanau to the 2025 ANZCO Foods IRONMAN New Zealand and IRONMAN 70.3 New Zealand,” said Reardon. “Taupo has a deep connection to this race, and every year we are inspired by the determination, passion, and camaraderie that make this event so special.
“Whether it’s your first IRONMAN or you’re returning to chase new goals, you’ll find a beautiful course, a supportive community, and an atmosphere like no other. We can’t wait to see you on the start line and celebrate your journey to the finish,” he said.
Taupo District Council Mayor David Trewavas added, “Hosting the IRONMAN events is always a highlight for our community. The energy and excitement that the athletes and their supporters bring to Taupo is unmatched. We are proud to showcase our beautiful town and provide a world-class experience for everyone involved.”
As the second oldest IRONMAN in the world, IRONMAN New Zealand has long been a bucket list race for triathletes from around the world and this year is no different, with internationals making up nearly half of the field and representing 50 countries.
Some of those making their way to Taupo from overseas include top professional triathletes Joceyln McCauley (USA), a two-time IRONMAN New Zealand champion; Joe Skipper (GBR), 2020 IRONMAN New Zealand champion; and Fenella Langridge (GBR), 2023 IRONMAN Western Australia champion.
They will be joined on the start line by New Zealand professionals Braden Currie, a two-time IRONMAN New Zealand champion; Mike Phillips, also a dual winner of IRONMAN New Zealand; Ben Hamilton, third in last year’s race; and Jack Moody, the 2022 IRONMAN 70.3 New Zealand champion.
Amongst the hundreds of age-group athletes racing is Liam Messam, the 43-cap former All Black, tackling his first ever IRONMAN.
Also lining up in Taupo are the two recipients of the 2025 Tony Jackson Scholarship, Harriet Steele, a Police Officer battling cancer and aiming to raise $25,000 for cancer research charities, and Justin Tito, a husband and father of three determined to show his children that anything is possible as he returns to the IRONMAN New Zealand start line for a second attempt after failing to meet to swim cut off time last year, resulting in a DNF.
“I am most looking forward to taking in the atmosphere, representing the Tony Jackson scholarship, the ANZCO Foods team, my family and friends, embracing the support from locals, and ultimately getting to the red carpet,” said Tito.
ANZCO Foods IRONMAN New Zealand sees athletes take on a 3.8km swim starting and finishing on the shores of Lake Taupo, a 180km ride taking in the rural landscape surrounding Taupo, and a 42.2km run along the lakefront lined with supporters.
Those taking part in ANZCO Foods IRONMAN 70.3 New Zealand will swim 1.9km, bike 90km and run 21.1km, finishing down the famous IRONMAN red carpet.
2025 ANZCO Foods IRONMAN New Zealand – Facts & Figures
- More than 2,000 registered athletes are taking part in the 2025 event
- International competitors make up nearly half (47%) of the IRONMAN field
- IRONMAN New Zealand athletes represent 50 countries
- Women make up a third (33%) of the IRONMAN field, and 40% of the IRONMAN 70.3 field
- IRONMAN 70.3 New Zealand sees the highest number of registered women athletes since the event was introduced in 2017
- The most represented nationalities outside of New Zealand are Australia, the United States, Great Britain, and Japan
- The oldest male IRONMAN competitor is 77 years old
- The oldest female IRONMAN competitor is 75 years old
- Around 1,800 volunteers will help make the 2025 event a success
To find out more about the 2025 ANZCO Foods IRONMAN New Zealand visit: ironman.com/im-new-zealand. For information on the 2025 ANZCO Foods IRONMAN 70.3 New Zealand visit: ironman.com/races/im703-new-zealand.