Long-distance triathletes and their support crews poured into Taupo yesterday for the 15th annual Ironman.
Prime News presenter Charlotte Bellis completed the gruelling 3.8km swim, 140km bike and 42km run in a time of 12 hours and 49 minutes.
Former French rugby international Tony Marsh finished in 12:14, beating his brother, former New Zealand Maori player Glen, who finished in 12:25.
Crowds were on hand as former Olympic triathlon silver medallist, but Ironman newbie Bevan Docherty showed his class by crossing the line first in a new course record time of 8:15:33.
The time was more than two minutes ahead of the previous record set by 10-time winner and fellow Kiwi Cameron Brown, who finished third behind Marko Albert, who was 10 minutes behind Docherty.
