Auckland Half Ironman

22nd December 2005

Auckland Half Ironman

Saturday 28th January will see the third annual Auckland Half Ironman triathlon take place.

With fields growing steadily over the last two years, over 300 participants are expected to show for the January 2006 event. Many choose the Auckland Half Ironman as their first event over this long triathlon distance. The past two years have also seen many elite competitors fronting up with Cameron Brown, Bryan Rhodes, Clas Bjorling, Gordo Byrn and Scott Molina to name a few.

With prize money totalling a record $15 000 in 2006 it is expected that we will see the most competitive field yet.

The race starts at Maraetai with a 2km swim and is followed by a 90km bike that covers much of the old Auckland Ironman bike course. It finishes with a 21km three lap picturesque run around the foreshore of the Hauraki Gulf.

The event centre will be at Kawakawa Bay on the edge of the Hauraki Gulf, 17km east of Clevedon. Kawakawa Bay is well known to many previous Ironman New Zealand competitors when the race was held in Auckland. The cycle leg is almost entirely on the old Ironman course. The run leg is along a spectacular piece of foreshore with sea views the entire way, and the majority of the run under Pohutukawa trees, which will provide perfect protection on a hot sunny day.
Race Day Schedule – Saturday 28th January
5:30am Swim/Bike Transition opens at Maraetai Beach
6:30am We suggest athletes without support have racked their bikes and depart for Kawakawa Bay
7:15am Return transport departs Kawakawa Bay (no later than 7:15am)
7:45am Compulsory race briefing at Maraetai Beach
8:00am Individual Race Start
8:30am Team Race Start
9:30am Last swimmer exits - pack up crew dismantle swim/bike transition and bring each athlete's gear to Kawakawa
10:15am First cyclists arrive at Kawakawa Bay
11:45am Expect first Finishers
4:00pm Expect last Finishers
4:30pm Prize giving

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