Cancer survivor takes on Rotorua Half-Ironman

Local Kiri Kepa is competing in the Rotorua Half Ironman over the quarter distance for the first time. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER

"I am living. Coming through my battle with cancer has helped push me on and I will keep on going."

This is the inspirational determination of Rotorua's Kiri Kepa, 49, who in the past year has been on an triathlon mission.

Since the turn of the year the gutsy athlete has competed in four quarter-triathlons including the Generation Homes women's triathlon at Mount Maunganui in February and the IronMaori last month.

And tomorrow Kepa will take on the Rotorua Half Ironman, in the quarter distance, for the first time. The race comprises a 1km swim, 45km bike ride and 10km run.

Kepa, who had a lumpectomy in 2013 as part of her treatment for breast cancer and has been in remission for the past three years, said she entered after being inspired while cheering on a friend in the event last year.

"I am living. Coming through my battle with cancer has helped push me on and I will keep on going. Before I did do some events but since my remission it has made me want to tackle more challenges," she said.

"I was cheering on a friend loudly from the sidelines. I remember being on the road for the bike section and I suddenly thought what's that noise? Suddenly I heard all the bikes roaring past and I just thought I really want to do that.

"I was definitely inspired. I only started doing triathlon events this year. I was nervous leading up to my first event but this will be my fifth so I feel fine."

Kepa said she felt "very prepared' for tomorrow's challenge, training properly since March and five times a week, with the input of Rotorua Group Challenge leader David Massey.

"Being part of the group has helped me massively - it's like one big community," she said. "David has written up a very detailed training plan for me. I've tried to follow it up as much as I can. I feel in good shape."

Kepa added she was looking forward to tackling the bike section of the race the most but the starting swim less so.

"The bike is my strong point," she said. "I love being out on the road and I'm a bit of a speed demon on the hills. I like the feeling of the breeze while I'm riding along.

"The swim will be the hardest because we all start together and you can get kicked in the head and people swimming over the top of you so that's a bit scary. But overall I'll make sure I enjoy the whole thing."

It was announced earlier this week that Javier Gomez, one of triathlon's superstars and five-time world champion and Olympic silver medallist, is also competing - something Kepa was excited about.

"It's great to have someone like that in the race. I googled him straight away when I found out," she said. "He'll probably flash by me and I'll miss him. Javier will certainly be far in the distance by the time I get on my bike."

Kepa said she would "definitely" be taking a couple of weeks off training after her quarter Rotorua Ironman before continuing on her triathlon quest.

"I know I'll need a break and a good rest," she said. "But this is just the start of things for me. There are a lot more things I want to achieve in the future. I am living."