Triathlon: Test of strength awaits

Belinda Harper. Photo / Supplied

Erin Baker is famous for being the only Kiwi to have won the Ironman World Championship at Kona but, last year, Belinda Harper experienced what it felt like to leave the sacred mountain as a champion.

The 35-year-old New Zealander broke the women's age group record in Hawaii with a time of 9:44:19 to claim the world age group title (35-39).

Harper finished 20th overall in the women's field and was the first amateur home in only her second ironman event.

She finished one minute behind New Zealand's leading pro, Jo Lawn, who did not have her best race.

Today is her first appearance on home soil since becoming a world champion.

"I never expected that result," said Harper, who has turned professional since her win.

"I was out to give the race my very best, however I never imagined my very best would win the age groups.

Harper took the lead 10km into the run but didn't breathe easy until she was 100m from the finish line.

"Seeing the finish line after months of hard work and a long hard day of racing is a feeling like no other.

"It was an amazing experience - all the hard work and sacrifice had paid off."

Radio Sport host Mark Watson said: "To win an age group title at Kona is not easy because you are not just battling the competition but the conditions as well.

"It is the holy grail of the sport and you have to qualify to race so the best athletes in the world are in Hawaii."

Harper follows in the footsteps of Gina Crawford who turned professional after age group success and has gone on to win five ironman titles.

Harper knows that performance has raised the bar on expectations as she makes her debut in the Challenge Wanaka event.

"It definitely gives me confidence. But it also assumes a lot of self-pressure, the standards have been set and I expect a lot more from myself.

"The course is tough and honest, the bike route winds around the lakes and rivers of Wanaka through a good mix of hills I am told.

"We are warned it will likely be scorching hot, but to prepare for sudden drops in temperature as it is an alpine environment. I get the feeling Wanaka will be testing all our strength."

For race organisers, Harper - an unassuming athlete rising to world champion status - is a great success story. "It's very exciting that Belinda has chosen to make Challenge Wanaka her first race as a professional athlete," said race director Victoria Murray-Orr.

Harper has a busy few months ahead with Ironman New Zealand in March and the Challenge Cairns event in June.