Link: http://www.bayofplentytimes.co.nz/localsport/storydisplay.cfm?storyid=3760154&thesection=localsport&thesubsection=&thesecondsubsection=
07.01.2008
By JAMIE TROUGHTON
He could scarcely believe it, lurching down Pilot Bay for the final time, but Kieran Doe finally allowed himself a grin and a few high fives as he crossed the finish line in his favourite race on Saturday.
The dreadlocked 26-year-old took out the Port of Tauranga Half Ironman at his fifth attempt, capturing a crown which has at times cruelly eluded him in the past.
Two seconds, a third and a fourth _ they were the spurs as Doe fought off the relentless pursuit of eight-time champion Cameron Brown in another dramatic conclusion to the great Tauranga race.
"I was running scared and I had nothing left," an elated Doe said.
"I just didn't want to get second again _ third would have been more preferable than second, so I waited right until the end before celebrating.
"Cameron was moving and I was hurting, and going around the Mount for the last time, I didn't know where he was so I just ran as hard as I could. I couldn't see him coming into Pilot Bay but I still didn't ease off until I got to the last 100m or so."
Doe was home in 3:56.41 with Brown second in 3:58.33 and Nathan Richmond third in 4:00.04.
With the mop hair wigs and `Go Doe' banners out in force, it was obvious this was one of the most popular wins in the 19-year history of the event, but it was built on sheer strength and determination.
On a long and gruelling 90km cycle leg, Doe beat his rivals into submission with a withering 2:08:13 bike leg, nearly 4mins faster than closest rival Stephen Sheldrake and 5:53 quicker than Brown.
His blistering ride was also more than a minute faster than the quickest team rider.
A gifted runner though he is _ and his 1:17:50 time proved it _ Brown had no hope of pegging that margin back as long as Doe kept his head.
"I'm not 25 like I used to be," Brown lamented.
"I'm 35 now and I just tried to keep a steady pace and I could see he was tiring but it just wasn't enough.
"He rode very well today and was very strong _ I just haven't done the speed endurance that these guys have done but I'm happy with how I went today."
Incredibly, it's just the second time Brown has been beaten in the race, after Craig Alexander and Doe snuck him past in 2005.
Another former champion, 2006 winner Richmond, could only marvel at Doe's biking abilities.
"I just seemed to lose more and more time to Kieran _ boy, didn't he ride well," Richmond said.
"Maybe that's the style of racing that's needed to win this race next year.
"I rode as hard as I could _ the idea was to stay in touch _ but six minutes is not in touch unfortunately."
As the energy drained visibly from Doe's frame on the final lap of the run, last year's Ironman Canada winner admitted he drew strength from the hordes of supporters.
"You definitely hear it and I love coming to this place.
"It always feels like everyone's behind me and it definitely carried me to the finish.
"Last year this race took a bit of a dive competitor-wise and it lost a lot of atmosphere but the boys have come back this year and this race is back up there. ``The crowd was huge and that's so important."
Brown was looking forward to Ironman New Zealand in March, where he was hoping to exact revenge on Doe. With six national titles at the Taupo race, Brown is the undisputed master, and he's recovered from the foot injury that wrecked his 2007 season.
"I'm happy with where I'm at _ it's not bad for six or seven weeks' training," Brown said, adding he was delighted the younger contingent were finally starting to push him.
ITU world cup veteran Shane Reed overcame a disappointing bike leg to fly home with the day's best run of 1:16.55, finishing fourth ahead of early leader Sheldrake. Former record holder Walter Thorburn, 44, showed his class to finish eighth in 4:09.49.
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