Heard about the New Zealand soldier who did his Ironman training on an exercycle and in a small pool?
Or the 69-year-old former Navy diver who started the first Ironman race on these shores back in 1985 and hasn't missed a single event since?
While the focus is on the professionals, the essence of the Taupo Ironman is the weekend warriors; the age-group athletes who are the heart and soul of the event, when sometimes just getting to the start line is an achievement.
Major John Humphries, serving in East Timor with the New Zealand defence force, is one of those stories. Home on leave, he competed yesterday after an unique training routine.
"You can't cycle on the roads there - there are potholes everywhere, livestock wandering freely and fairly dodgy drivers," laughs Humphries. "I also planned to do some swims in the ocean, until I spotted some crocodiles."