Triathlon: Brown still passionate for honours

Cameron Brown. Photo / Getty Images

Triathlete phenomenon Cameron Brown will chase a remarkable ninth victory in Saturday's 23rd Port of Tauranga Half Marathon at Mt Maunganui.

Brown's place in the annals of the sport is already etched in stone, but the 39-year-old is still passionate about his craft and far from ready to hang up his shoes.

The Aucklander has defied his age by stepping up his training for the Tauranga event, which doubles as Triathlon New Zealand's national championships.

He used to take up to six weeks off after competing at the world championships in Hawaii and Ironman New Zealand but found he was more susceptible to injury when he returned to training.

"Now I continue to tick over, so that when I am ready to push hard in training, there's a better chance of staying injury-free," Brown said.

"I only had two weeks after Hawaii and even then almost got injured when I got back into things."

He has already completed a half, finishing second to Auckland's Callum Millward in Taupo last month.

"In the last few years... it has been a push to be in shape for Mt Maunganui. But I raced well at Taupo with little running behind me and I am happy with my progress for this weekend.

"Along with Ironman New Zealand, it's my favourite race. It is where my career started and I love going back to race there. It's world class, it has a fantastic atmosphere and there's no other race in the country quite like it."

Brown had his maiden victory at the Port of Tauranga Half in 1998, the first of seven straight wins. His streak was ended by Australian Craig Alexander, who went on to win the ironman world title three times, but he came back to win in 2007.

Millward will pose a serious threat after recovering from an injury suffered while racing in the United States this year. He returned to win at the Tinman triathlon and the Taupo half.

Other contenders include Australian Tim Berkel and 2010 champion Michael Poole, who is back in outstanding shape after his first American campaign. Fellow Aucklanders James Bowstead and Brodie Madgwick will also be hoping for a podium finish.

Meanwhile, two-time winner Jo Lawn is favourite for the women's title she won last year.

The main competition is likely to come from former Mt Maunganui triathlete Michele Bremer, who won Ironman Western Australia on debut, and super-talented Australian Christie Sym who has been on the podium around the world this year.

The elite race begins at 6.30am with a sell-out field of 1200 taking part.