🌋Ironman New Zealand Race Report: Effort Not Ego

Ironman New Zealand was a bucket list race of mine and it did not disappoint. Everything seemed to go above and beyond and we got perfect racing conditions.

This was simply one of the best races I ever did. There was a feeling from start to finish you were part of something more than a triathlon race. The setup, the course, the volunteers, the spectators – it was special.

Its been over a year since I raced an Ironman race and with Busselton 2025 sold out I signed up for IRONMAN New Zealand | IRONMAN in Taupo.

Ironman New Zealand Course Preview

A very fun and engaging course from start to finish.

Ironman NZ Swim

Its a mass start swim and in a lake. Two big unknowns for me and were not as daunting as first feared. I positioned mid way and didn’t feel too different swimming in a lake. There was a mixup with the gun / horn so we got counted down from the crowd on shore.

The race it self was hectic.

Was expecting it to ease up in the back straight but it felt somebody was constantly on: my heels or grouping up. Got kicked in mouth at one stage. You do have the current on long straight.

T1: Small incline coming out of lake and 400m. Didn’t seem as long at the time as you have crowds cheering you on. Martina and Sean were well positioned just on right easy to see.

Ironman New Zealand Bike Course

Hilly straight away. No huge climbs but hilly / windy roads with 700m incline each lap. Followed by fast freeway section. Road condition was relatively good and never felt it was terrible. Broadlands road was long but no head wind which was unusual.

T2: Best in the world. A volunteer takes your bike and you can quickly get into the tent.

Ironman NZ Run

Must be some of the best spectators and volunteers on a run course. Aid stations well positioned and personal needs bag easy to access. It was scorching hot so got hosed down a few times.

It is hilly though and deceiving especially around Two Mile Bay.

Backend of course you the hills are tough. Each lap you got a wristband. Saw some people attaching them to their race belts.

Ironman New Zealand Schedule

• Wednesday
  • We flew into Auckland on Wednesday morning before the race
  • Rented a car from https://bargaincarrentals.com.au/ and drove down to Rotura
  • Recommend the Rotorua Hot Springs Spa And Pools | Polynesian Spa
• Thursday
  • Breakfast Skyline Rotorua | Experience the Iconic Gondola & Luge
  • Stopped at Waimangu Volcanic Valley Rotorua on way to Taupo
  • Took Broadlands road which is on the course
  • 5pm Checked in and attended the opening ceremony where locals did a haka

• Friday
  • Took bike out on course and dipped in the lake. The race buoys were already out so I just swam out to start line buoys to see how deep it got.
  • Checked in bike Friday evening.
• Saturday
  • Race morning.
  • Not too busy was able to park near the transition area and setup my bike at 5.30am
  • Drive home collected Martina & Sean. Parked up near lake and walked down to area for around 7.15am. Parking wasn’t too hectic.
  • 7.30am opening ceremony
  • 7.50am went for a few strokes and lined up in chute
  • 8.00am pros start
  • 8.10am we were all lined out in water as its a mass start.
  • RACE TIME
• Sunday
  • Collected bags and bike from transition area at 11am they were nearly all cleared out.
  • Medal engraving had a queue out past the tent so I skipped that and next time will look at booking online or maybe going later before they close.
  • Went to Taupo DeBretts Spa Resort Hot Spring pools for some much needed recovery. The walk down wasn’t appreciated but worth it.
• Monday
  • We went to Hobbiton™ Movie Set Tours – Hobbiton™ Movie Set Tours (book well in advance or contact them directly of not) it is a absolute must.
• From there we went up to Coromandel and back to Auckland with one night in Waiheke Island thanks to cancelled flight. TOP TIP: Stop at small town pie shops – never seen the likes of them.

Accommodation Taupo

We stayed at an a perfectly located AirBnB Richmond Avenue which was just off the turning point and was easy to access transition area on morning of race. There was a lot of motels along the run track and I think I would probably try rent one of those via booking.com

Ironman New Zealand Race Planning

You can only plan as much as you want but on race day anything can change. Going into it I’m hoping the following willhelp.

Renting a Canyon Speedmax for the race to save from bringing mine and having to carry it with us around New Zealand after the race. Will be interesting if I get some gains from a “better” bike but also hope that it fits well and can stay aero.

This is an excellent race preview:

This is race pace guide from Rob in the video: The Ultimate Ironman NZ Pacing Blueprint

New Zealand Race Targets

1 year ago we had our first baby Sean so the first 6 months was doing a small bit of running to build up 🥵7 Lessons Perth Marathon + ai race Coach where I pretty much bonked on the run.

Took 6 weeks off the legs and focused on swimming for remainder of 2025 – finishing with the Christmas 10K Ocean Swim | Coogee Beach WA in horrendous conditions in 4 hours 17 minutes on 21st December.

I did a 10 week training program. 4 weeks build. 2 weeks recover. 2 weeks peaking 16 hour weeks. 2 week deload / taper.

I was targeting a few PBs based on after swimming 10km built a lot of confidence in keeping my form. Bike I’m hoping the power training gives me a strong bike ride. helps with a small PB and the run, my marathon PB is 3.55 which I messed up my pacing – I think I can hold 5.40’s.

• Swim: 1..15 (PB 1.18)
• T1: 10mins (might be longer there is a 400m run to transition
• Bike: 6:00 (PB 5.30 on a flat Busso – this will be slower bad roads and hilly)
• T2: 5mins
• Run: 4.00 (PB 4.07)
• Total: 11.30

Actual IM NZ Race Results / Race recap

1 minute off target for swim which was great for a crazy start and in a lake. T1 smashed it especially considering the 400m to get to transition area. First 90km was done at 3.03 so negative spilt the bike. T21 on target but the run was a mission to finish not PB.

Heart rate was at threshold immediately. Sun was piercing down and legs were cooked. Decided in first few kms just walk aid stations as per Max’s advice and don’t worry about time.

Ironically a spectator held up a sign just start second lap EFFORT NOT EGO and I did exact opposite. Completely went for it on the bike, flying up the climbs and passing every opportunity I had. Wasn’t till last 20km I realized my heart rate was away too high and I tried to slow down relax but damage was done.

Another race where poor race pacing decisions cost me.

On a positive cause I did slow away down on the run I have been able get back training 2 weeks later and eager to go again.

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