Triathlon: Tough day in Hawaii ironman

It was a tough day for New Zealanders in a super-hot, super-fast race at the ironman world championships in Hawaii today.

The New Zealanders were all out of the top 10, with Australia's Chris McCormack winning the men's race for the second time in eight hours 10 minutes and 37 seconds. Compatriot Mirinda Carfrae took women's honours in 8hr 58min 36sec, when overwhelming favourite Chrissie Wellington withdrew with illness just before the race.

The New Zealanders were unable to match the blazing pace and blazing conditions: Cameron Brown was the best in 17th place with a solid 8hr 34min 10sec in a race where the top 10 men all went under the 8hr 30min.

Terenzo Bozzone finished close behind in 20th place in 8hr 38min 23sec.

The New Zealand pair had a hand in the win, though, as training partners with McCormack over the recent weeks.

It was a tough time for the women too, with Jo Lawn finishing outside the top 10 for the first time in several years.

She came home in 20th place in 9hr 43min 08sec, while compatriot Gina Crawford did not finish.

"I'm feeling a little sorry for myself. I swum well and rode OK, coming in with the big bunch along with Craig Alexander, the defending champion," Brown said.

"But I had problems on the run. I got some pain in my foot -- I had clearly done something and had to stop a few times to stretch it out but it just got worse.

"It was a tough day and if you are not on top of your game here then you get found out in a cruel way along the Queen K Highway in this heat."

Brown said he is looking forward to a break before resetting his goals, with a similar story coming from Bozzone, who was hoping to improve on his 11th placing last year.

"I felt so great coming in. I thought I had done everything right. The swim went well and I was going OK on the bike until the last 50km when the wheels fell off.

"At the 15km mark on the run the legs started to feel it and believe me, that's not the place you want to be struggling here in Kona.

"I stuck it out and came right near the end. But it's disappointing because everything had gone so well in the lead-up. I guess it's back to the drawing board now."

Bozzone said he would take a break now and set himself for the Ironman New Zealand, after confirming his entry earlier in the week.

- NZPA