By Kent Gray/Triathlon.kiwi
Fond memories of the race and a solid summer training block at home have Hannah Berry fizzing for just her second start of 2024.
The Mount Maunganui 33-year-old returns to IRONMAN 70.3 Geelong for the first time since winning the race back in 2020. She’ll be joined on the start line by fellow Kiwis Samantha Kingsford and Angharad Llewellyn in a field headlined by the last five Geeling champions: Grace Thek, Lotte Wilms, Ellie Salthouse, Berry and Radka Kahlefeldt.
Berry has savoured training and racing at home over summer, her win at January’s Tauranga Half a positive to take into Sunday’s race.
“It has been so nice to be back at home for a good block of time. Last year I was away from home for six months straight, so I was so ready to be back home by the end of that and have really just loved having my family and friends around me again,” said Berry.
“Training is obviously just so easy at home too and I have a pretty good set up around me here, so it has been great to be home for training as well.”
Berry anticipates some close racing in Geelong..
“I’m expecting there to be plenty of fire power in the swim and bike in this race, with quite a few athletes in the front pack,” she said.
“Potentially it will come down to a bit of a run battle. We could see some really tight racing I think, it’s going to be an exciting one.”
IRONMAN 70.3 Geelong – Professional Women’s Start List
1. Grace Thek (Australia)
2. Radka Kahlefeldt (Australia)
3. Lotte Wilms (Netherlands)
4. Ellie Salthouse (Australia)
5. Hannah Berry (New Zealand)
6. Hanne De Vet (Belgium)
7. Chloe Hartnett (Australia)
8. Penny Slater (Australia)
9. Sophie Perry (Australia)
10. Aleisha Wesley (Australia)
11. Paige Cranage (Australia)
12. Daynella Eberle (Australia)
14. Kate Gillespie-Jones (Australia)
15. Cassandra Heaslip (Australia)
16. Regan Hollioake (Australia)
17. Samantha Kingsford (New Zealand)
18. Angharad Llewellyn (New Zealand)
19. Leanne Szeto (Hong Kong)
