Ironmanlife: Way to go Shingo!

Kevin Mackinnon follows up on Bonita Ironman New Zealand and more

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.

Tani was involved in one of the most incredible races I have ever announced - the 1999 Subaru Ironman Canada event in Penticton. Chuckie Veylupek won that day, but by just a few seconds over Tani and Bryan Rhodes. Only 44 seconds separated the first three, who had traded the lead a few times over the closing miles of the race.

Tani used his running prowess for good measure again in New Zealand last weekend, working his way through the field to finish well enough to claim a spot at the Ford Ironman World Championship in Kona this October.

The sheer joy he exuded at the finish line was hardly diminished on the stage the next night. He posed for the crowd, encouraging them to make more noise to help him celebrate. While his competition limped to the stage, he looked like he was ready to run a few more miles. Tani simply exudes joy and enthusiasm when he races, before he races, after he races … OK, basically the guy has a great attitude! He always seems to have a smile on his face, and goes out of his way to thank everyone involved in any event he attends.

Great to see you racing again, Shingo! See you in Kona.

More notes from Taupo:
• Of the 1,001 athletes who started the race, all but 34 finished. No wonder it’s such a popular race for first time competitors. The high finish percentage can likely be attributed to the great weather, but a lot of credit should go to the impressive race organization and incredible volunteers.

• Athletes competing in the race raised over NZ$125,000 for the official charity of the event, Breathe4CF. Singapore’s Charles Anderson raised over $15,000 of that total. Luke Bell’s custom racing suit was auctioned off at the awards ceremony, raising an additonal for NZ$1,050 for the charity.

• Tony Jackson, who won the 65-69 age group, has competed in every single Ironman New Zealand race – 23 in all!

• How amazing is the support in Taupo? Jo Lawn told a story at the awards ceremony about one of the volunteers who ran after her at an aid station to give her some water. Not even looking back, she joked to him to hurry up … his reply: “I am 72, you know!”

A sad farewell:
Liz and Jerry Ranges, the super volunteers who have been an integral part of Ironman New Zealand almost since the event started 23 years ago, announced that they won’t be back next year. Jerry was a former age group winner in New Zealand before being diagnosed with a “life threatening cancer” that put an end to his racing career. That didn’t stop either of them from becoming an important part of what makes Ironman New Zealand so special. For years they’ve been at the event site from dawn to dusk, helping in any way they could.

The Ranges will be traveling for a few more months before returning to their home in Stowe, Vermont. You can be sure we’ll do a feature on the couple once they get back!

Liz and Jerry … thanks for all that you’ve done for us all these years!

They said it:
Ben Fertic, quoting John Collins during his speech at the awards ceremony in New Zealand:

“You can stop and no one will care, but you will always know.”

Fastest run split in Kona
Many of you might have received an e-blast from us here at Ironman earlier this week in which we inadvertently credited Chris McCormack with the fastest run split in Kona last October. In fact it was Sergio Marques, who ran an impressive 2:43 marathon, who posted the fastest run split at the 2006 Ford Ironman World Championship. We apologize for the mistake, Sergio – keep running fast!

You can reach Kevin Mackinnon at kevin@ironman.com