Multisport: Ulmer tests mettle in Ironman

World and Olympic cycling champion Sarah Ulmer will exchange her bike for a pair of running shoes today.

Ulmer, who recently retired from cycling, is joining a number of other sporting celebrities taking part in the Port of Tauranga Half Ironman at Mt Maunganui.

She will join partner Brendon Cameron and fellow New Zealand cycling representative Meshy Holt in a team for the event.

They are one of the 150 teams with 750 individuals who will contest the event, which doubles as the Triathlon New Zealand national long-distance championships.

Holt will complete the 2km swim, Cameron, who is a two-time Ironman New Zealand finisher, will take on the 90km bike and Ulmer will run the 21km final leg, although she joked about her running prowess.

Other high-profile athletes competing alongside some of the world's best triathletes include former All Black Ian Jones, who will compete in his first triathlon. He is taking on the event as an individual, as is former professional cyclist Stephen Swart.

The teams are dotted with identities including Beijing-bound triathlete Debbie Tanner, former world surf lifesaving champion Brent Foster, Silver Fern Laura Langman and Beijing marathon hopeful Jessica Ruthe.

Age is also no barrier with Hamilton's Bob Goddard, who has won numerous world age-group triathlon honours, the oldest at 72 - just ahead of fellow 70-year-olds Neil Fleming (Taupo) and Laurie Wesley (North Shore). The trio all completed Ironman New Zealand last year.