Multisport: Brown relinquishes grip on Tauranga half ironman

Cameron Brown won't be back for a crack at a remarkable eighth Tauranga half ironman title ... though he will be back.

The top New Zealand ironman has confirmed he'll only compete in a team next month after struggling to shake off the effects of another gruelling campaign at the world championships in Hawaii.

He'll compete for a star-studded team outfit with Olympic gold medallist Hamish Carter and Athens marathoner Dale Warrander, but admits the 2.1km swim leg is about all he'll be able to coax out of his body.

"I took a longer break from Hawaii this year and I'm only just getting back into the training," Brown said.

"I'm very unfit at the moment and it's going to be a long slow grind for the next three or four weeks.

"I'd be kidding myself if I thought I could get ready that quickly. Every year it's a rush to get fit and I wanted to have an extra break.

"This is one year I wanted to have a bit more time to relax and enjoy myself and spend more time with the family."

Brown's absence breaks a remarkable streak of appearances in Tauranga's biggest single-day event.

He's started eight times since 1998 for seven wins, only knocked off his perch earlier this year amid controversy on the cycle leg when he accused his younger rivals of drafting.

The 33-year-old admits it's getting tough to recover from Hawaii, where he snared a dramatic second placing in October, his fourth podium finish in five years.

"I'm not 25 anymore -- I'm 33 now and next year's going to be just as big. I just want to look after my body and take really good care of myself. I want to win Hawaii next year so the focus will really be on that."

Brown signed a two-year appearance deal to race the half before this year's race. He's used the event to prepare for Ironman New Zealand in Taupo, which he's also won five times.

But event director Jane Patterson, who is in charge of both races, was sympathetic to Brown's plight in the shorter version.

"Jane was very good and she knew I needed a break and I discussed that with her.

"That's why I'm doing it as a team, because I probably need to give something to her and to the race."

Brown, meanwhile, is calling on the rules officials to police the cycle leg better. He was outspoken after the race this year, believing a six-man pack had etched out a handy lead with illegal drafting tactics.

"I'd hate to see it happen again because the race doesn't need that. You've got to be hard on the rules and they weren't last year."

- BAY OF PLENTY TIMES