Malcolm MacDonald owns one of the longest streaks in New Zealand sport but, all of a sudden, it doesn't seem so important.
The Christchurch fireman has lined up, exhausted, at this week's national surf lifesaving championships in Mount Maunganui hunting an extraordinary 13th consecutive beach relay title.
If truth be known, however, the 40-year-old will just be glad for the rest after spending the past fortnight pulling 16 hour days, helping with the aftermath of Christchurch's devastating earthquake.
"I wasn't planning to come up because things have been pretty frantic," the South Brighton veteran said. "But a couple of days ago, I decided I needed a bit of a break and I was keen to support the kids I coach and to be there to help out the club."
South Brighton is one of a handful of Christchurch clubs sending reduced contingents to Mount Maunganui, after the nationals were relocated from New Brighton in the wrecked South Island city.
MacDonald won the first of his relay titles in 1999 with South Brighton, inspired Dunedin's Brighton club to victory the next year, and has been back in Christchurch ever since.
He also won the beach sprint title in 2003 and 2004 and has numerous minor medals in both the sprint and beach flags during an incredible career. Yesterday, he also picked up the masters 30-39 sprint double.
Another defending a proud streak is Hawke's Bay star Daniel Moodie, who has won the last five ironman titles, but his preparation has again been hampered by injury.
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