New Zealand triathlon great Bevan Docherty has had a stellar debut in the full Ironman distance, winning the national title at his hometown event in Taupo and setting a new course record.
Marko Albert of Estonia led out of the swim and on much of the bike but Docherty overhauled him to lead in transition into the run by almost three and a half minutes.
The 35-year-old double Olympic medallist then extended his lead on the run and won by almost 10 minutes from Albert, in a new Taupo record of eight hours, 15 minutes and 35 seconds - two and a half minutes under the old time.
Docherty says that wasn't uppermost in his mind - just finishing was all he cared about on his debut, as his body was starting to shut down.
The 10-time winner Cameron Brown was third, almost 19 minutes behind Bevan Docherty.
Another New Zealander, Terenzo Bozzone, pulled out on the run, claiming he was unwell.
American Meredith Kessler defended her women's title from Canterbury's Gina Crawford.
