Beware the power of a determined amateur

Duncan Milne has patiently built up his Ironman strength and stamina, but now he is going for broke.

The Taupo-based athlete, who is the top-ranked amateur in today's elite men's New Zealand Ironman field, said he has nothing to lose and everything to gain when he tackles the gruelling race.

"I've done this the last four years and gradually improved every year and I've got to the stage where I want to mix with the big boys," Milne told the Daily Post.

"I don't feel any pressure at all, I've got nothing to lose out there, I am not expected to do any better than 10th [he was 8th last year in a shortened race] and I am just going to do what I do."

Milne said he was looking to let his body speak for itself when he competes alongside the race favourites.

But what makes Milne's 10th seed ranking more remarkable is he is an amateur in a professional field - holding down a fulltime job overseeing operations at Tenon's Board Plant. It's not something he dwells on allows to get to him; in fact it's a point of difference he relishes.

"It's such a buzz, it's so cool to be sitting next to the guys that I watch on videos and DVDs on Hawaii," he said following yesterday's elite press conference.

"But it's been a challenge, with work especially, but it becomes such a routine that you psych up and it's the same thing everyday and I imagine that these [elite] guys have other commitments too, so it's very similar."

Milne said his interest in Ironman was sparked five years ago after a friend at work made the decision to compete. Before that he only touched on triathlon at school, instead opting to focus on athletics and soccer, before being selected to play in the national soccer league.

After tiring of team sports he returned to triathlon and with the support of his "amazing" wife has worked hard to improve his Ironman times - around 30 minutes year on year and clocking a personal best of 9 hours 37 minutes. He has also enjoyed a breakthrough season to date winning the CentralMed Tinman Triathlon and finishing runner-up to Cameron Brown in the Tauranga Half Ironman.

"This year has been the best year by far - somewhat of a breakthrough winning the Mount half. If I can race like that again and come off the bike and control my run then I am confident I can be close to the action."