Competitive pair tackle Ironman 70.3 for first time (+video)

"We certainly won't be holding hands crossing the finish line."

That's the competitive sentiment of married couple - Rotorua's Kerris and Chris Browne, who in the past seven years have been on a life-changing running journey.

Since 2009 the dynamic duo have competed in dozens of long distance races in New Zealand from the Rotorua Marathon to the Tarawera Ultramarathon.

And tomorrow the couple, married for 28 years, will tackle the Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Ironman 70.3 in Taupo for the first time. The race comprises a 1.9km swim, 90km bike ride, finishing with a 21.1km run.

The couple entered for a "new challenge" and said a competitive edge between them would aid them come race day.

"On the start line I'm definitely aiming to get ahead of Chris and we certainly won't be holding hands crossing the finish line," said Kerris.

"I've entered plenty of triathlons but I'm always looking for something new and exciting to try. Taupo offers a great course - it's flatter than the Rotorua version and so I'm certainly aiming to get a personal best.

"I'm the better swimmer so I might come out the water first out of us two. The problem I then have is I don't stand a chance behind him on the bike. He'll power away then."

Chris interjected: "It's always fun to have a go at something you haven't done. It's my first time so my main objective is just to finish ahead of Kerris.

"And hell no we won't be holding hands. It is all in half jest though because we do train together. Adding a bit of competition come race day does help though- we push each other along at the beginning to get off to a good start."

Kerris, 47, spurred Chris, 46, to take up running more seriously seven years ago after entering Rotorua's Tough Guy and Gal Challenge.

Since then Kerris has dropped 15kg and the pair have raced in 16 Rotorua marathons, 35 local half marathons, 30 triathlons and six Tarawera Ultramarathons over varying distances.

Kerris is the coach and co-ordinator for local running community group - Jogging The Poles, whilst Chris is a pack running leader.

The runners said they felt prepared for tomorrow - however they each took a very different approach to training - with Kerris training for the last eight months with Rotorua Association of Triathletes for up to 12 hours a week.

Chris has trained for half that time, and admitted not going for a run in the last two weeks.

"I train right, I train a lot," said Kerris. "But Chris - well he falls out of bed, has a bourbon for breakfast and smashes my times. It's just not fair."

Chris added: "I've just fortunately always had a good natural level of fitness. I think it's because I did cross country for a while at a young age and played a lot of rugby league which certainly helps fitness."

The pair will compete in the Tarawera Ultramarathon 100km in February, and are also eyeing the full Taupo Ironman in 2018 and the 2019 Great Wall Marathon in China.

"Whatever Kerris enters I do now," said Chris. "Again that's my competitive side coming out of me. I really don't know what to expect from the full ultramarathon - I better make sure I do some proper training for that."

Kerris added: "I live by the motto - take the road less travelled. I want to keep pushing myself and explore what other races are out there. Competing in China will be something special and if I'm competing Chris certainly is. I'm not just going to let him watch while I struggle round."

For more information about the Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Ironman 70.3 in Taupo visit www.ironman.com,

Rotorua entries for 2016 Kellogg's Nutri-Grain IronmanIronman 70.3:

Female: Kelly Albrecht, Rachel Birdsall, Kerris Browne, Elizabeth Gellatly, Katrina Gray, Carol Harwood, Alie Henderson-Corporaal, Julie Howard, Lee Meijer, Nicola Muggeridge, Knisha Ruland, Melissa Waller, Vicki Wheeler, Kaye King.

Men: Max Bragg, Chris Browne, Martin Carlyle, Steven Gray, Olly Shaw.