IRONMAN - Repeat defenders go hard in tough race

WHANGAREI'S Graeme MacDonald finished his first Ironman 15 years ago.
On Saturday in Taupo he ticked off number 10 after crossing the finish line in the 24th Ironman New Zealand race - just 15 minutes slower than his first result.
The 50-year-old avocado grower was the first across the line out of the five Northlanders racing in Ironman, with a time of 10 hours 35 minutes.
Finishing 10 Ironman events is a remarkable feat given all the training hours he has endured.
But even for this seasoned athlete, the atmosphere and crowd support helped him push through the tough patches on the run in the wet and windy conditions.
"You can do all the training but putting it all together on race day is a pretty tough ask. The crowd here is amazing and it's a great boost when you're struggling into a head wind in the pouring rain," MacDonald said.
For Okaihau drystock farmer Chris Walls, two flat tyres on the first lap of the cycle stymied his plans for a personal best in his seventh Ironman.
Broken glass just 10 minutes into the ride saw the 38-year-old make his first tyre repair. The second puncture came in nearly the same spot on the return trip.
"I made the change and was really hoping I didn't get another puncture because I didn't have any more tubes with me. It would have been a good day without the punctures."
Training in the sea at Matauri Bay proved worthwhile for Walls, who completed the swim in 58 minutes and just missed out on finishing under 11 hours.
Meanwhile, Whangarei sushi chef Hidenori Hashimoto hung up the "closed" sign on his mobile eatery this weekend. He had a mean side dish of raw courage to deal to.
The 39-year-old father of three did his first Ironman as a 19-year-old in Auckland and thought - 20 years down the track - it was time for another one. He wasn't disappointed.
"Ironman is awesome," he said minutes after crossing the finish line in 13h 11m. After what he described as an "excellent" swim, the bike proved a bit tougher.
"After 90km I was starting to slow up. I think I was so excited by the atmosphere I went too fast. It was hard on the second lap."
Husband and wife duo Oringa and Brian Barach lined up for their fourth Ironman. Oringa was defending her 60-64 age group title - and also aiming to beat her husband in the swim.
She had a 12-minute lead on him out of the water and it wasn't until the first turn around at Reporoa on the bike stage that he managed to claw back the deficit and ride ahead.
At the end of the long, gruelling day Brain crossed the line in 13h 17m and Oringa in 16h 30m.