HALF IRONMAN - Warriner smashes world champ's record

Whangarei triathlete Sam Warriner was tired and hurting after winning the 20th anniversary Port of Tauranga Half Ironman at Mount Maunganui on Saturday.
But the extra effort over the longer distance was worth it as she broke two-time world champion Jenny Rose's 13-year record by 2 minutes.
The Olympic distance World Cup series champion of 2008 proved she was more than capable of impressing at the event that doubled as the Triathlon New Zealand long distance championships, by clocking 4:10.47 for the 2km swim, 90km bike and 21km run.
"It was pretty satisfying to win so well because I'd only ever done one [half ironman race] before, four years ago and so to race so strong, by that I mean run so well after a strong bike leg, is really pleasing," she said.
Warriner felt she should have got more out of her swim but said that knuckling down and working hard on the bike was responsible for her capturing the race record.
After the race the Olympian said her body was feeling the extra distance she had covered in the race. "It's now telling me thank God it's over."
Warriner finished eight minutes ahead of two-time winner Auckland's Joanna Lawn and more than 22 minutes ahead of third placegetter, Australian Abigail Bayley.
Once some early showers cleared in the Bay of Plenty, conditions helped competitors.
"There was a steady wind but that wasn't too bad once you got used to it. Towards the end of the run I was getting hot but to be honest with some of the temperatures we've been having recently, it was really ideal for a race," Warriner said.
"I am thrilled with the win and to beat that record is special and means a lot."
Lawn was also reasonably content with her performance.
"Sam was in a different class today that's for sure," she said.
Warriner said she would contemplate taking part in more ironman-type races but for now she was concentrating on Olympic distance racing.
"Next week it's the Sam Warriner triathlon in Whangarei and then basically it's back to training for my first 70.3 series in Australia, and that's a qualifier for the 70.3 world championships - so I need to have a good result there so I can qualify early," she said.
Taupo's Duncan Milne claimed the men's title, capitalising on the misfortune of eight-time champion Cameron Brown, who lost more than six minutes on the bike leg with a puncture.
Brown finished the race at pace and was only 27 seconds behind the winner.