By Kent Gray/Triathlon.kiwi
For added context here, know that Warren Hill was born in 1939, the year World War II broke out. Fast forward to Friday and the 82-year-old Aucklander became the oldest finisher at the Ironman World Championships.
Hill clocked an extraordinary 16:16:25 for the 226km epic in Kona to finish second of three starters in the 80-84 age group. Better still, he slashed just shy of 22 minutes off his 2019 time on the Big Island.
The Auckland City Triathlon club member finished behind Japan’s Hiroshi Nakata (15:41:51). Overall, he was 1062st of 1103 starters by gender with splits of 1:51:58 for the 3.8km swim, 7:35:18 for the 180km bike and 6:25:14 for the 42.2km marathon. Just wow.
Wellington Triathlon Club’s Michele Allison also medalled on Friday, claiming bronze in the 65-69 age group in 12:46:14
Check out the other Kiwi times here:
Wanaka’s Braden Currie and Kyle Smith of Taupo line up in the men’s pro race at 5.25am Sunday NZT. Tune into Youtube and Ironmannow.com for coverage.
Coromandel school teacher Matt Kerr (30-34) will be out to repeat as overall world champion while Hill’s son, Paul, is among a group of age groupers flying the Kiwi flag.
Stay tuned to Triathlon.kiwi for more Ironman World Championships coverage.
