TRIATHLON - Ironmen prepare for battle

They might have spent months training together but when mates David Howard and Daryl Curran line up for the gruelling Ironman race, it will be a battle to the end.
Tomorrow, the duo and six other Northlanders are taking on the biggest one-day challenge in sport - the New Zealand Ironman Championship in Taupo.
The world's oldest international Ironman event has attracted a record 1495 entries, exceeding the previous high of 1480 in 2006.
There are 653 internationals from 43 countries participating in Taupo, while New Zealand entries number 842, well up on the previous best of 684 in 2006.
It's a real slogfest with a 4km swim, followed by a 180km bike ride, and topped off with a 42km run.
Howard, who describes himself as an "avocado rancher", and Curran, a police constable at Onerahi, have churned through thousands of kilometres in the pool and on the roads, and have encouraged each other through the training lulls.
But when the cannon sounds to start the race at Taupo it will be all go.
This will be Howard's first crack at the event, but he has had plenty of experience in multi-sport races, including finishing Coast to Coast three times.
Before embarking on the tough Ironman training, Howard could only manage to splash his way through four lengths of the pool before he was left gasping for breath. Now he kicks through 4km, not with ease, but with enough confidence to complete the first of the three stages.
Curran's only other start in Ironman was thwarted by bad weather in 2006 when officials canned the swim section after winds whipped up massive waves on the usually still lake. He completed the reduced race, a 90km bike and 21km run, but is keen to complete the full distance.
While Curran might have the edge when it comes to the water, the race is sure to even up between the Whangarei lads on the bike and run stages.
Curran is the first to acknowledge the steely resolve of his fellow training partner.
"Howdy might have a slight edge but we will both be trying to beat each other."
And Howard reckons: "If it's close with about 5km left to go, it will be 'kill or be killed'."
Whangarei's husband and wife duo, Brian and Oringa Barach, will also line up along with sushi chef Hidenori Hashimoto and avocado grower Graeme McDonald - who will be looking to finish his 11th Ironman.
Dargaville teacher Shelley Gosse will compete in her second Ironman, while Okaihau farmer Chris Walls will start in his eighth Taupo event.
Reigning men's champion Cameron Brown will look to extend a remarkable record when he defends his title in Taupo. Brown, 36, is chasing his eighth victory in the race, a qualifying event for the Ironman world championships in Hawaii. He is the only male to have won the same Ironman race more than six times.