Kiwis make the 24th Bonita Ironman New Zealand their own

It was a day of records, records and more records at Bonita Ironman New Zealand. Kiwi's Cameron Brown and Joanna Lawn won in contrasting styles in a day that dawned perfect for the 3.8km swim but worsened with rain and wind for the bike and run legs in Taupo today.

For 35-year-old Brown, his seventh victory at Ironman New Zealand was one of his easiest, if not in effort then in his winning margin of 6 minutes 46 seconds over Belgian Frederik Van Lierde. After his toe to toe battle with Luke Bell last year, Brown got to soak up the atmosphere and interact with the Taupo crowd over the last couple of kilometres of the race. Read the story »

Older Stories

International Legends Return For Bonita Ironman New Zealand

Germany's Lothar Leder and America Ken Glah, with more than 100 Ironman finishes between them, are set to extend their outstanding careers in Saturday's 24th Bonita Ironman New Zealand in Taupo. Read the story »

Coast to Coast winner Ussher at Bonita Ironman New Zealand

Endurance racing stars Richard Ussher and Cameron Brown will battle out the test of the toughest at next month's Bonita Ironman New Zealand in Taupo. Ussher, who won his third Coast to Coast title last week and is acknowledged as the world's best adventure racer, has confirmed he will compete in Ironman New Zealand on March 1. Read the story »

Lawn Goes for Six in New Zealand

Triathlon star Joanna Lawn will need to be in the form of her life to establish a best for any female in the 24th Bonita Ironman New Zealand on March 1. Read the story »

Entries open for Ironman New Zealand

It is the oldest qualifying race on the Ironman circuit, having started 22 years ago, and seems to get bigger and better all the time. Bonita Ironman New Zealand takes place in the beautiful resort destination of Taupo, which is about three hours drive south of Auckland, and it's hard to imagine a race that could offer much more to its competitors. Read the story »

Ironmanlife: Way to go Shingo!

You couldn't help but smile as Shingo Tani bounced up onto the stage last Sunday night to receive his award at Bonita Ironman New Zealand. After a three-year absence from the Ironman (it sure didn't seem that long, Shingo!), Tani returned to racing with an eighth place 9:05 finish in Taupo. Read the story »

Mental as Anything

When Cameron Brown entered the water prior to this year's Bonita Ironman New Zealand he was feeling unsure of himself. That's not typical for the five-time winner of the event and the two-time runner-up at the Ford Ironman World Championship. The pressure of winning an unprecedented sixth title in New Zealand was not creating the uncertainty, instead it was a stomach virus that turned his pre-race life upside down less than 48 hours before the start. Read the story »

Lawn and Brown win in Taupo ... again

New Zealand's own Cameron Brown might have won a record sixth Bonita Ironman New Zealand title here today, but it took a mano-o-mano duel with Australia's Luke Bell for the 34-year-old to claim that title. Read the story »

World Champion Threat for Brown in Bonita Ironman NZ

Read the story »

About the Race

Qualifier for Ford Ironman World Championship It is the oldest qualifying race on the Ironman circuit, having started 22 years ago, and seems to get bigger and better all the time. Bonita Ironman New Zealand takes place in the beautiful resort destination of Taupo, which is about three hours drive south of Auckland, and it's hard to imagine a race that could offer much more to its competitors.

The swim course in the beautiful, clear, waters of Lake Taupo is a one loop affair around a rectangular course, which, if the water is calm, is laid out nicely for a fast first leg of the day.

Once out of the water, the athletes run past the Lake Taupo Yacht Club to T1, and then start the bike course by riding along the lake next to where they just finished swimming. The initial few kilometers are flat, but a quick left turn takes the athletes up a hill that is a precursor of the fun to come.

The beautiful two-lap run course follows Lake Taupo down to Five Mile Bay and then returns back to town. The course could be described as "rolling," although there are a few good hills to be negotiated along the way.

Available Now from IronmanDVD

2007 Ford Ironman World Championship 70.3 DVD
Relive the November 10, 2007 race with this DVD. Watch as Andy Potts, a highly decorated athlete with short-course success, sprinted to a first place 3:42:33 finish, while Australia�s Mirinda Carfrae broke the course record and claimed victory finishing at 4:07:25. In addition to the competitive professional field, more than 1,400 other triathletes ranging from 19 to 82 years old crossed the finish line, including Mark Rothbaum, manager of country music legend Willie Nelson, and Stacey Junio, who celebrated her recent weight loss in preparation for the event. $34.95 Available now.