Search
shop

Chelsea Sodaro’s coach Dan Plews bags another big age-group victory

What a year it's been for coach Dan Plews - and he rounded it off in style by winning IRONMAN New Zealand!
News Director
Last updated -
STRENGTH. ENDURANCE. PERFORMANCE.

Dan Plews, who coaches IRONMAN World Championship winner Chelsea Sodaro, claimed a significant win of his own on Saturday at IRONMAN New Zealand in Taupō.

It was an unusual day with no professionals at the front of the field as the race returned for the first time since March 2021.

It meant age group athletes Plews and Vanessa Murray took the tape in the men’s and women’s races, cementing themselves a place in history few others can claim.

Advertisement

Eight-week plan

Auckland-based Plews was the first to cross the finish line, completing the course in an impressive 8:50:12. Wellington’s Jeff McHardy and Tauranga’s Gregory Bassam rounded out the men’s age group top three.

Plews still holds the Kona age group course record from his 2018 overall AG IRONMAN World Championship win and that race four years ago was the last time he raced at full-distance.

Speaking after his Taupō success, he said: “It’s really special, it’s probably the only time ever really that an age grouper will cross the line and take the tape, so I think that’s quite cool.

“It was a definitely a big draw because I made the decision eight weeks ago. It all happened in October – Chelsea Sodaro, who I coach, won the IRONMAN World Champs, I turned 40, and I was all motivated to try and get an entry, so then I got an entry, got in a good little block of eight weeks solid work and it was worth it for that,” explained Plews.

Dan Plews - 2022 Nutri-Grain IRONMAN New Zealand age group champion - Photo Sportograf
Plews celebrates a famous win [Photo credit: Sportograf]

“I’m a sports scientist so I’m very meticulous about numbers and powers but my watch broke; I had no data at all on the bike, so I was absolutely running blind.

I just kind of went on feel.

“I might have biked a little bit too hard, I’m not that sure. I think I was five minutes behind out of the water and then it took me ages to catch the first guy on the bike and I didn’t catch him until close to the turnaround on the second lap. I did the second lap exactly the same as I did the first lap and I think that’s what made the difference.”

Reilly hangs up his mic

Melbourne-based Kiwi Vanessa Murray claimed the overall women’s age-group title, crossing the line in 9:41:10, more than 14 minutes clear of Queenstown-based Irish athlete Fiona Gallagher in second and over 27 minutes ahead of Auckland’s Taryn Ryan.

Vanessa Murray - 2022 Nutri-Grain IRONMAN New Zealand age group champion - Photo Sportograf
Vanessa Murray takes the tape [Photo credit: Sportograf]

“It feels awesome, I had a really challenging day, so I was just determined to hang onto the win so that I could come away with something. I had a great run, so I’m stoked with that, but I had a few challenges on the bike with getting a puncture,” said Murray. “It’s amazing, as age groupers we don’t get the opportunity to take the tape very often, so it was extra motivation to try and get the win.”

The race – one of his favourites – marked an emotional farewell for legendary IRONMAN announcer Mike Reilly as he called his last ever athlete across the finish line before hanging up his mic after an incredible 33-year and 214-IRONMAN career.

Earlier in the day, New Zealand’s Jack Moody and Sweden’s Anna Bergsten claimed maiden victories in the IRONMAN 70.3 New Zealand professional races.

Jonathan Turner
Written by
Jonathan Turner
Jonathan Turner is News Director for both TRI247 and RUN247, and is accustomed to big-name interviews, breaking news stories and providing unrivalled coverage for endurance sports.  
Discover more
Mark Allen aging up quote
How to adjust your triathlon training as you get older – Mark Allen on the 7 ways to make aging a less slippery slope
Ironman gear guide – everything you need to get to the finish line of a full distance triathlon
Challenge St. Pölten 2024 - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
Expert swim coach on the three most common swim mistakes age group triathletes make (and how to fix them!)
Challenge The Championship Marjolaine Pieree
How to qualify for Challenge The Championship – and why it should be on your triathlon bucket list
Cadomotus aero triathlon cycling shoes
Can your triathlon cycling shoes make you faster? How shoe choice could speed up your triathlon finish times
latest News
Jonny Brownlee supertri Neom 2024 run photo credit supertri
Challenge Family’s The Championship 2025: Date, start time and how to watch live
Kona scenic shot IRONMAN World Championships photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
IRONMAN say women split 50/50 on whether Kona age-group spots should be proportionate or equal
Paul Findlay on the run at T100 San Francisco 2024
Can Findlay extend winning run on home soil as INCREDIBLE women’s line-up is announced for T100 Vancouver?
Beth Potter Cassandre Beaugrand Olympic Games Paris Test Event Triathlon August 2023
WTCS Yokohama 2025: Date, start time and how to watch live as Olympic stars head to Japan
Sam Long bike leg IRONMAN 703 St George 2025 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
“I think he’s a sneaky little guy” – which fellow pro got under the skin of Sam Long at 70.3 St. George?
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

Share to...