Ironman: Age no barrier for Brown

Cameron Brown in training. Photo / Herald on Sunday.

Ironman New Zealand and Cameron Brown go together a bit like camping and summer, which is why Brown will try for a 10th consecutive title in March.

That won't surprise his competitors but what might deflate them is his intention to race the event for as long as he can.

There had been suggestions next year's race might have been his last Ironman New Zealand but Brown dismissed that. The 38-year-old can even see himself as (even more of) a grizzled, old athlete plodding along with the rest of the punters when age finally slows him.

"I don't really care [if I fade away]," he says. "If it doesn't happen, it doesn't happen. I'm not really worried about it. For me, it's been a lifestyle and it's been a great ride so far. I have enjoyed every minute but I'm not going to get emotional about it.

"I will be one of those guys like [1985 and first Ironman NZ winner] Scott Molina who just continue in the sport.

"It's something I have done and will always do. I have always enjoyed being fit. It's just how long you stay at that competitive level.

"But hopefully I can keep guys like Terenzo [Bozzone] at bay for a few more years. Those guys won't want to hear that but for me the fire is still burning brightly and I'm very motivated.

"The young guys always fire you up with how they are going to kick your arse. It just adds fuel to the fire."

Brown is clearly closer to the end than the beginning and injuries are becoming more of an uncomfortable companion. His calves complain and his foot arches ache. Normally he would take a lengthy break after an ironman to let his body recover - now he can't afford to rest too long. It's just too hard getting going again.

"Age is catching up on me," he says ruefully. His competitors aren't, however. This year, he won his ninth Taupo ironman, a world record for a single event, when he overcame an eight-minute deficit on Bozzone to win comfortably by more than eight minutes.

Bozzone is expected to be back again next year, along with other top Kiwis Kieran Doe and James Bowstead. Organisers are also hopeful of adding a top international but the race has lost a lot of its lustre in recent years because of the proliferation of events worldwide.

The women's field looks classy, however, with double world champion Mirinda Carfrae confirming her attendance along with seven-time winner Jo Lawn.

Gina Ferguson, who won in 2009, hasn't yet entered and it looks unlikely former Olympic and Commonwealth Games triathlete Sam Warriner will compete.

Warriner is switching her attentions to ironman racing but is desperate to qualify for the world championships in Hawaii and is targeting more high profile events than the Taupo race to reach the qualifying standard.

Brown will compete in next month's Port of Tauranga half ironman as part of his build-up for Taupo.

He's won the race eight times but has been absent for the past two years because of injury.