Seasoned Auckland triathlete Garth Barfoot hopes to get back in the saddle after an emergency hip replacement following a serious bike crash, but admits his Ironman days are over.
"Realistically, I've got to say goodbye to the full Ironman," the 77-year-old director of the Barfoot & Thompson property firm said yesterday, while recovering at North Shore Hospital from a broken thigh and an emergency hip replacement operation.
But the veteran of 33 Ironman contests, of which he has completed 26 and had until last week hoped to run, cycle and swim in at least two more, remains keen to attend Queenstown's Motatapu off-road triathlon in March - if only in a ceremonial capacity.
"I think they are offering me a job presenting (the prizes)," he said.
Mr Barfoot was injured when hit by a car on a roundabout on which he had the right of way at the Beach Haven end of Birkdale last Wednesday morning.