Brown chases record ninth ironman title

Wairarapa representation at the 26th Bonita Ironman New Zealand event in Taupo on Saturday, March 6, could run into double figures.
When entries closed, 1252 participants from 39 countries, including a record 652 from New Zealand, had registered to contest a 3.8km swim, 180km cycle ride and 42km run..
Among them were Michael Duthie and Fred Taylor, of Carterton, John Taylor, of Martinborough, Neil Cameron,. Gavin Champion, Diane Chesmar, Stephen Hannam and Julie Shakespeare, all of Masterton, Richard Day, of Pahiatua, and Justin Herbert, of Tinui.
Defending champions Cameron Brown and Gina Crawford have also indicated they will be fronting up again.
Brown will be chasing his ninth Ironman New Zealand crown, a feat never before achieved by any athlete in the same Ironman race. A niggling calf injury wrecked his US campaign last year and it flared again earlier this summer but the 37-year-old is still confident of another bold showing in Taupo.
Crawford, nee Ferguson, is back to full fitness and firing on all cylinders after the discovery of a genetic heart abnormality and a troublesome ankle injury disrupted her 2009 racing schedule. She claimed victory at the Western Australia Ironman last month to prove she is back on track.