Ironman New Zealand
March 1, 2002
Taupo, New Zealand
2.4m swim, 112m bike, 26.2m run

The same week he accepted his award as New Zealand's Sportsmen of the Year, Cam Brown put his stamp on New Zealand's biggest triathlon. Brown captured his second straight Ironman New Zealand title with the fastest marathon. Karyn Ballance made a Kiwi double as she won the women's race.

The race started under rainy conditions as 1000 competitors began the swim. With Australia's John Van Wisse on his heels, Brent Foster was first out of the water in 46:56. Wendy Ingraham set a new women's swim record in 49:50, three minutes in front of second place female Lynley Allison.

Allison and Joanna Lawn caught Ingraham early in the bike, and then Allison took off for a lead which would get as large as six minutes. Lawn, Ingraham, and Lena Wahlquist held the next three spots, all within 10 minutes of first year pro Allison.

Several men took turns leading the two lap bike. Just past halfway Stephan Sheldrake held the lead. He had passed John Van Wisse, who was called for drafting, and Craig Percival, who flatted and had trouble fixing his tires with cold hands in the damp weather. American James Bonney took control in the latter part of the bike, leading by 90 seconds over Courtney Ogden and Jonas Colting going into T2.

Allison held the lead early in the run, but her grasp on the lead was coming to an end with Ballance bearing down on her. Ballance passed Lawn to move into second, and with Lawn trying to hang on Ballance passed Allison to take the lead and go on to victory in 9:27:33. Ballance's 3:04:01 marathon was easily the fastest of the day. Lawn was second in 9:31:07. Allison finished third, with Wendy Ingraham in fourth.

The strongest man in the field, Cam Brown, was three minutes behind Bonney after the bike. Before the run's halfway point Brown had passed everyone, including Bonney, to take the lead. Just like the women's race, the men's race went to the fastest runner. Brown's 2:49:26 marathon split was the best in the field and carried him to a 3 minute win over Jonas Colting. Garret MacFadyen overcame a 60 minute swim with a strong bike and run to finish third, one minute in front of Courtney Ogden. James Bonney held on to fifth.

For more race information check out www.ironmanlive.com.