Hollywood star makes splash in IronMaori event

Set for another lap of the Pandora Pond markers, actor Cliff Curtis may have been thinking about the flight he had to catch afterwards. Photo / Warren Buckland

For IronMaori Half-Ironman competitor and actor Cliff Curtis there was never going to be any doubt he would complete his required 2km swim in a pretty good time.

"Because he had to get to the airport to catch the 10am flight back to Auckland," event founder and organiser Heather Skipworth said.

But Curtis, who later told Mrs Skipworth he had hugely enjoyed taking part, need not have worried as he entered the Pandora Pond around 8am on Saturday.

"He did it in about 40 minutes, which was pretty good," Mrs Skipworth said.

A large number of spectators who gathered to see the swimmers agreed - many recognised Curtis and called out a "hello" - not to mention try to get a selfie with him.

"At the finish, he had to grab all his gears and get away."

It was a slightly weary Mrs Skipworth who wrapped up the final details and ensured all the signage and clean-ups had been sorted yesterday - but a very satisfied one as the event all went "fabulously".

She also reflected on massive international interest it had continued to generate year after year.

It started in 2009 when there were just 228 participants.

"We had about 2200 this time and that was pretty manageable," she said, although reckoned there was room for more (as the entries were already lining up for next year).

"We could go to 2500, but as the number levels go up so do the stress levels," she joked.

She paid tribute to all who gave their best and said the feeling of pride and achievement was thick in the air.

She also paid tribute to about 100 volunteers who embraced the event and put in all the time they could.

"We had people who started helping set things up on Thursday still here late last night (Saturday). They were just tireless."

She said one of the favoured athletes taking part also got "too involved".

"He just wanted to keep helping us - always doing something - and it took its toll in the race. I said to him afterwards I thought he would have posted a better time but he said, 'But I couldn't leave you to do all the work'."

Apart from a strong local contingent there were competitors from all over the country, and further afield.

"We had one woman come here from Canada specifically to take part."

There were also entrants from Tonga, Australia, Samoa, England and one, Mikolaj Deboswki, from Poland.

The oldest was a 74-year-old man from Rotorua.

"He did all three legs and posted a pretty good time - better than what I think I could have done," Mrs Skipworth said, who added that for the first time, next year she would put some of the organisational needs aside and take part.

The competitors, who entered as individuals or with a team (as Curtis did), were required to swim 2km, run 21km and cycle 90km.

The only injury was a minor one when a man fell from his bike during the cycling event and pulled out. "But he was OK, and he'll be back next year."

The full lists of results, for all age groups and sections, will be posted on the IronMaori website.