Ironmaori 2012 http://www.hawkesbaytoday.co.nz/photos/ironmaori-2012/16729/ Napier was teeming with lycra-clad, wetsuit-wearing athletes from throughout the country and the Tasman who took on the gruelling fitness half-ironman Ironmaori challenge. The first woman across the line was New Zealander Natalie Gaskin, in the women's 30 to 34-years age group with a time of 4:53:32, the first male was fellow Kiwi Deano Gaskin in the 35 to 39-years, with a time of 4:16:01. Event founder Heather Skipworth said 2,100 athletes - 600 more than last year - competed in Saturday's event, but it was more than numbers that impressed her. "It always amazes me the stories of people being on the verge of diabetes and then training for Ironmaori and getting a check before the event and they are in the clear," she said. "It's more than an event, it's a life-changing event." Mon, 3 Dec 2012 13:28:11 +1300 http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-01.JPG Ironmaori 2012 /photos/ironmaori-2012/16729/ 1 of 43, Surf Lifeguard briefing before the swimmers start during the ½ Ironmaori event starting at Pandora Pond in Napier with a swim then cycling out to the Matapiro Hall and back to Pandora pond for the run. <p><a href="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-01_t1024.JPG"><img src="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-01_t100.JPG"/></a></p> Surf Lifeguard briefing before the swimmers start during the ½ Ironmaori event starting at Pandora Pond in Napier with a swim then cycling out to the Matapiro Hall and back to Pandora pond for the run. Mon, 3 Dec 2012 13:31:01 +1300 2 of 43, Surf Lifeguard briefing before the swimmers start during the ½ Ironmaori event starting at Pandora Pond in Napier with a swim then cycling out to the Matapiro Hall and back to Pandora pond for the run. <p><a href="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-02_t1024.JPG"><img src="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-02_t100.JPG"/></a></p> Surf Lifeguard briefing before the swimmers start during the ½ Ironmaori event starting at Pandora Pond in Napier with a swim then cycling out to the Matapiro Hall and back to Pandora pond for the run. Mon, 3 Dec 2012 13:31:01 +1300 3 of 43, Swimmers get ready for the start during the ½ Ironmaori event starting at Pandora Pond in Napier with a swim then cycling out to the Matapiro Hall and back to Pandora pond for the run. <p><a href="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-03_t1024.JPG"><img src="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-03_t100.JPG"/></a></p> Swimmers get ready for the start during the ½ Ironmaori event starting at Pandora Pond in Napier with a swim then cycling out to the Matapiro Hall and back to Pandora pond for the run. Mon, 3 Dec 2012 13:31:01 +1300 4 of 43, People watch as the swimmers start during the ½ Ironmaori event starting at Pandora Pond. <p><a href="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-09_t1024.JPG"><img src="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-09_t100.JPG"/></a></p> People watch as the swimmers start during the ½ Ironmaori event starting at Pandora Pond. Mon, 3 Dec 2012 13:31:01 +1300 5 of 43, People watch as the swimmers start during the ½ Ironmaori event starting at Pandora Pond. <p><a href="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-10_t1024.JPG"><img src="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-10_t100.JPG"/></a></p> People watch as the swimmers start during the ½ Ironmaori event starting at Pandora Pond. Mon, 3 Dec 2012 13:31:01 +1300 6 of 43, HBT124542-11.jpg Swimmers start during the ½ Ironmaori event starting at Pandora Pond in Napier. <p><a href="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-11_t1024.JPG"><img src="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-11_t100.JPG"/></a></p> HBT124542-11.jpg Swimmers start during the ½ Ironmaori event starting at Pandora Pond in Napier. Mon, 3 Dec 2012 13:31:01 +1300 7 of 43, HBT124542-11.jpg Swimmers start during the ½ Ironmaori event starting at Pandora Pond in Napier. <p><a href="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-12_t1024.JPG"><img src="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-12_t100.JPG"/></a></p> HBT124542-11.jpg Swimmers start during the ½ Ironmaori event starting at Pandora Pond in Napier. Mon, 3 Dec 2012 13:31:01 +1300 8 of 43, HBT124542-11.jpg Swimmers start during the ½ Ironmaori event starting at Pandora Pond in Napier. <p><a href="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-13_t1024.JPG"><img src="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-13_t100.JPG"/></a></p> HBT124542-11.jpg Swimmers start during the ½ Ironmaori event starting at Pandora Pond in Napier. Mon, 3 Dec 2012 13:31:01 +1300 9 of 43, HBT124542-11.jpg Swimmers start during the ½ Ironmaori event starting at Pandora Pond in Napier. <p><a href="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-14_t1024.JPG"><img src="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-14_t100.JPG"/></a></p> HBT124542-11.jpg Swimmers start during the ½ Ironmaori event starting at Pandora Pond in Napier. Mon, 3 Dec 2012 13:31:01 +1300 10 of 43, HBT124542-11.jpg Swimmers start during the ½ Ironmaori event starting at Pandora Pond in Napier. <p><a href="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-16_t1024.JPG"><img src="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-16_t100.JPG"/></a></p> HBT124542-11.jpg Swimmers start during the ½ Ironmaori event starting at Pandora Pond in Napier. Mon, 3 Dec 2012 13:31:01 +1300 11 of 43, HBT124542-17.jpg The Green hat swimmers wait for the start during the ½ Ironmaori event starting at Pandora Pond in Napier. <p><a href="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-17_t1024.JPG"><img src="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-17_t100.JPG"/></a></p> HBT124542-17.jpg The Green hat swimmers wait for the start during the ½ Ironmaori event starting at Pandora Pond in Napier. Mon, 3 Dec 2012 13:31:01 +1300 12 of 43, HBT124542-18.jpg The orange hat swimmers start the 2nd lap during the ½ Ironmaori event starting at Pandora Pond in Napier. <p><a href="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-18_t1024.JPG"><img src="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-18_t100.JPG"/></a></p> HBT124542-18.jpg The orange hat swimmers start the 2nd lap during the ½ Ironmaori event starting at Pandora Pond in Napier. Mon, 3 Dec 2012 13:31:01 +1300 13 of 43, HBT124542-19.jpg The swimmers start the 2nd lap during the ½ Ironmaori event starting at Pandora Pond in Napier. <p><a href="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-19_t1024.JPG"><img src="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-19_t100.JPG"/></a></p> HBT124542-19.jpg The swimmers start the 2nd lap during the ½ Ironmaori event starting at Pandora Pond in Napier. Mon, 3 Dec 2012 13:31:01 +1300 14 of 43, HBT124542-20.jpg Bikes waiting for the swimmers to come in during the ½ Ironmaori event. <p><a href="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-20_t1024.JPG"><img src="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-20_t100.JPG"/></a></p> HBT124542-20.jpg Bikes waiting for the swimmers to come in during the ½ Ironmaori event. Mon, 3 Dec 2012 13:31:01 +1300 15 of 43, HBT124542-21.jpg Rider 7 Rebecca Kemp the first person out of the swim pictured during the ½ Ironmaori event. <p><a href="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-21_t1024.JPG"><img src="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-21_t100.JPG"/></a></p> HBT124542-21.jpg Rider 7 Rebecca Kemp the first person out of the swim pictured during the ½ Ironmaori event. Mon, 3 Dec 2012 13:31:01 +1300 16 of 43, HBT124542-22.jpg Rider 7 Rebecca Kemp the first person out of the swim pictured during the ½ Ironmaori event. <p><a href="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-22_t1024.JPG"><img src="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-22_t100.JPG"/></a></p> HBT124542-22.jpg Rider 7 Rebecca Kemp the first person out of the swim pictured during the ½ Ironmaori event. Mon, 3 Dec 2012 13:31:01 +1300 17 of 43, HBT124542-27.jpg Rider 26 Deano Gaskin pictured during the ½ Ironmaori event starting at Pandora Pond. <p><a href="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-27_t1024.JPG"><img src="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-27_t100.JPG"/></a></p> HBT124542-27.jpg Rider 26 Deano Gaskin pictured during the ½ Ironmaori event starting at Pandora Pond. Mon, 3 Dec 2012 13:31:01 +1300 18 of 43, HBT124542-29.jpg Rider 560 Linda Exeter-Grant pictured during the ½ Ironmaori event starting at Pandora Pond in Napier. <p><a href="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-29_t1024.JPG"><img src="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-29_t100.JPG"/></a></p> HBT124542-29.jpg Rider 560 Linda Exeter-Grant pictured during the ½ Ironmaori event starting at Pandora Pond in Napier. Mon, 3 Dec 2012 13:31:01 +1300 19 of 43, HBT124542-30.jpg Rider 62 Brian Tweed pictured during the ½ Ironmaori event. <p><a href="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-30_t1024.JPG"><img src="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-30_t100.JPG"/></a></p> HBT124542-30.jpg Rider 62 Brian Tweed pictured during the ½ Ironmaori event. Mon, 3 Dec 2012 13:31:01 +1300 20 of 43, HBT124542-31.jpg Rider #56 - Brett Hoskin, Rider #32 Cameron McKay pictured during the ½ Ironmaori event. <p><a href="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-31_t1024.JPG"><img src="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-31_t100.JPG"/></a></p> HBT124542-31.jpg Rider #56 - Brett Hoskin, Rider #32 Cameron McKay pictured during the ½ Ironmaori event. Mon, 3 Dec 2012 13:31:01 +1300 21 of 43, HBT124542-32.jpg Rider 700 pictured during the ½ Ironmaori event. <p><a href="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-32_t1024.JPG"><img src="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-32_t100.JPG"/></a></p> HBT124542-32.jpg Rider 700 pictured during the ½ Ironmaori event. Mon, 3 Dec 2012 13:31:01 +1300 22 of 43, HBT124542-34.jpg Rider 3 Faryn Ngawka pictured during the ½ Ironmaori event. <p><a href="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-34_t1024.JPG"><img src="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-34_t100.JPG"/></a></p> HBT124542-34.jpg Rider 3 Faryn Ngawka pictured during the ½ Ironmaori event. Mon, 3 Dec 2012 13:31:01 +1300 23 of 43, HBT124542-35.jpg Rider 37 Rod Kirwan pictured during the ½ Ironmaori event starting at Pandora Pond. <p><a href="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-35_t1024.JPG"><img src="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-35_t100.JPG"/></a></p> HBT124542-35.jpg Rider 37 Rod Kirwan pictured during the ½ Ironmaori event starting at Pandora Pond. Mon, 3 Dec 2012 13:31:01 +1300 24 of 43, HBT124542-36.jpg Rider Keenan during the ½ Ironmaori event starting at Pandora Pond. <p><a href="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-36_t1024.JPG"><img src="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-36_t100.JPG"/></a></p> HBT124542-36.jpg Rider Keenan during the ½ Ironmaori event starting at Pandora Pond. Mon, 3 Dec 2012 13:31:01 +1300 25 of 43, HBT124542-38.jpg Riders climb the first hill on Puketitiri Road during the ½ Ironmaori event. <p><a href="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-38_t1024.JPG"><img src="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-38_t100.JPG"/></a></p> HBT124542-38.jpg Riders climb the first hill on Puketitiri Road during the ½ Ironmaori event. Mon, 3 Dec 2012 13:31:01 +1300 26 of 43, HBT124542-39.jpg Riders climb the first hill on Puketitiri Road during the ½ Ironmaori event starting at Pandora Pond. <p><a href="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-39_t1024.JPG"><img src="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-39_t100.JPG"/></a></p> HBT124542-39.jpg Riders climb the first hill on Puketitiri Road during the ½ Ironmaori event starting at Pandora Pond. Mon, 3 Dec 2012 13:31:01 +1300 27 of 43, HBT124542-41.jpg Rider 464 Riki Ngatai near Puketapu during the ½ Ironmaori event. <p><a href="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-41_t1024.JPG"><img src="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-41_t100.JPG"/></a></p> HBT124542-41.jpg Rider 464 Riki Ngatai near Puketapu during the ½ Ironmaori event. Mon, 3 Dec 2012 13:31:01 +1300 28 of 43, HBT124542-42.jpg Riders 292 Cameron Apperley, 1130 Mata Davie, 1206 Peta Reo near Puketapu. <p><a href="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-42_t1024.JPG"><img src="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-42_t100.JPG"/></a></p> HBT124542-42.jpg Riders 292 Cameron Apperley, 1130 Mata Davie, 1206 Peta Reo near Puketapu. Mon, 3 Dec 2012 13:31:01 +1300 29 of 43, HBT124542-43.jpg Rider 427 Les Harmer near Puketapu during the ½ Ironmaori. <p><a href="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-43_t1024.JPG"><img src="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-43_t100.JPG"/></a></p> HBT124542-43.jpg Rider 427 Les Harmer near Puketapu during the ½ Ironmaori. Mon, 3 Dec 2012 13:31:01 +1300 30 of 43, HBT124542-44.jpg Rider 1148 Brett Cribb fixing a flat tyre near Puketapu. <p><a href="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-44_t1024.JPG"><img src="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-44_t100.JPG"/></a></p> HBT124542-44.jpg Rider 1148 Brett Cribb fixing a flat tyre near Puketapu. Mon, 3 Dec 2012 13:31:01 +1300 31 of 43, HBT124542-44.jpg Rider 1148 Brett Cribb fixing a flat tyre near Puketapu. <p><a href="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-46_t1024.JPG"><img src="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-46_t100.JPG"/></a></p> HBT124542-44.jpg Rider 1148 Brett Cribb fixing a flat tyre near Puketapu. Mon, 3 Dec 2012 13:31:01 +1300 32 of 43, HBT124542-47.jpg Riders on the Vicarage Road bridge, Puketapu. <p><a href="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-47_t1024.JPG"><img src="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-47_t100.JPG"/></a></p> HBT124542-47.jpg Riders on the Vicarage Road bridge, Puketapu. Mon, 3 Dec 2012 13:31:01 +1300 33 of 43, HBT124542-53.jpg Riders taking part in Ironmaori. <p><a href="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-48_t1024.JPG"><img src="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-48_t100.JPG"/></a></p> HBT124542-53.jpg Riders taking part in Ironmaori. Mon, 3 Dec 2012 13:31:01 +1300 34 of 43, HBT124542-53.jpg Runners pictured on the old road before running over the bridge. <p><a href="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-52_t1024.JPG"><img src="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-52_t100.JPG"/></a></p> HBT124542-53.jpg Runners pictured on the old road before running over the bridge. Mon, 3 Dec 2012 13:31:01 +1300 35 of 43, HBT124542-53.jpg Runners pictured on the old road before running over the bridge. <p><a href="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-53_t1024.JPG"><img src="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-53_t100.JPG"/></a></p> HBT124542-53.jpg Runners pictured on the old road before running over the bridge. Mon, 3 Dec 2012 13:31:01 +1300 36 of 43, HBT124542-54.jpg Runners 571 Alec Smeaton, 955 Liz Gemmell, 830 Alana Ngawhare pictured on the old road before running over the bridge . <p><a href="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-54_t1024.JPG"><img src="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-54_t100.JPG"/></a></p> HBT124542-54.jpg Runners 571 Alec Smeaton, 955 Liz Gemmell, 830 Alana Ngawhare pictured on the old road before running over the bridge . Mon, 3 Dec 2012 13:31:01 +1300 37 of 43, HBT124542-56.jpg Runner #6 Andrew Brunt pictured during the ½ Ironmaori event. <p><a href="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-56_t1024.JPG"><img src="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-56_t100.JPG"/></a></p> HBT124542-56.jpg Runner #6 Andrew Brunt pictured during the ½ Ironmaori event. Mon, 3 Dec 2012 13:31:01 +1300 38 of 43, HBT124542-57.jpg Runner #1075 Ani Te Whati pictured during the ½ Ironmaori event. <p><a href="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-57_t1024.JPG"><img src="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-57_t100.JPG"/></a></p> HBT124542-57.jpg Runner #1075 Ani Te Whati pictured during the ½ Ironmaori event. Mon, 3 Dec 2012 13:31:01 +1300 39 of 43, HBT124542-58.jpg Runner 352 Sharlene Mercer pictured during the ½ Ironmaori event. <p><a href="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-58_t1024.JPG"><img src="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-58_t100.JPG"/></a></p> HBT124542-58.jpg Runner 352 Sharlene Mercer pictured during the ½ Ironmaori event. Mon, 3 Dec 2012 13:31:01 +1300 40 of 43, HBT124542-56.jpg Runner #6 Andrew Brunt pictured during the ½ Ironmaori. <p><a href="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-59_t1024.JPG"><img src="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-59_t100.JPG"/></a></p> HBT124542-56.jpg Runner #6 Andrew Brunt pictured during the ½ Ironmaori. Mon, 3 Dec 2012 13:31:01 +1300 41 of 43, HBT124542-60.jpg Runners 869 Catherine Wood, 855 Katie Hubbard pictured during the ½ Ironmaori event. <p><a href="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-60_t1024.JPG"><img src="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-60_t100.JPG"/></a></p> HBT124542-60.jpg Runners 869 Catherine Wood, 855 Katie Hubbard pictured during the ½ Ironmaori event. Mon, 3 Dec 2012 13:31:01 +1300 42 of 43, HBT124542-61.jpg Runners pictured during the ½ Ironmaori event starting at Pandora Pond. <p><a href="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-61_t1024.JPG"><img src="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-61_t100.JPG"/></a></p> HBT124542-61.jpg Runners pictured during the ½ Ironmaori event starting at Pandora Pond. Mon, 3 Dec 2012 13:31:01 +1300 43 of 43, HBT124542-62.jpg Runners pictured during the ½ Ironmaori event. <p><a href="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-62_t1024.JPG"><img src="http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2012/12/03/HBT124542-62_t100.JPG"/></a></p> HBT124542-62.jpg Runners pictured during the ½ Ironmaori event. Mon, 3 Dec 2012 13:31:02 +1300