Ironman: Calf injury forces Brown out of Tauranga event

Cameron Brown's troublesome calf injury has forced him out of today's Tauranga half ironman.

While he is back training, Brown has managed only 45 minutes running and said he didn't want to risk injury with a major season in front of him.

"The leg's actually come right in the past 10 days, just unfortunately not in time to race this weekend," he said.

Taupo's Duncan Milne, fighting back to form after a knee injury, will defend his men's title in an open field that includes 2008 winner Kieran Doe, another triathlete thwarted by injury.

A group of promising young triathletes, led by James Bowstead (Glenbrook) and Jamie Whyte (Auckland), has added zest, as has the inclusion of two-time ironman world champion Craig Alexander (Australia). There will also be special interest in the efforts of another Australian, Tim Berkel, who has chalked up a host of top-five finishes.

In the women's field, four previous champions means the battle for honours shapes as the best in the event's 21-year history. Beijing Olympian Sam Warriner will defend the title she won in race record time last year.

To achieve a third victory at Mt Maunganui, she will need to overcome a field which includes the winner of every Port of Tauranga Half Ironman since 2002.

- NZPA