TRI247
Search
shop
SUPERTRI E TICKETS DISCOUNT & VIP COMPETITION
SUPERTRI E TICKETS DISCOUNT & VIP COMPETITION

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 -
SHOP
Watch Potter, Brownlee & Beaugrand LIVE

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.

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.”

Advertisement

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.

13th April 2024 - London
Watch Potter, Brownlee & Beaugrand as these triathlon superstars take on the world in the build up to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
LIMITED TICKETS - DON'T MISS OUT!
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
Kyle Smith
Watt it takes to win at supertri E – a data dive into how deep the PROs have to dig
Arena Games Triathlon Finals Singapore - Beth Potter bike
The evolution of Esports in triathlon – How supertri brought virtual racing to the mainstream
Beth Potter Arena Games Triathlon Finals Singapore
Lightning fast splits and record breaking performances – relive some of the top moments from women’s supertri E racing
Lionel Sanders Arena Games Montreal game face on bike photo credit SLT
Countdown to supertri E – a look back at some of the most epic moments in men’s triathlon E racing
Challenge Barcelona 2023 - Photo Credit: Jose Luis Hourcade
Brownlee brothers on the costly race day swim mistakes to avoid – plus their own mishaps
latest News
Ruth Astle St George finish line 2022 photo credit Tom Pennington Getty Images for IRONMAN
British IRONMAN Champion on committing to professional triathlon and chasing a T100 Tour wildcard
Ben Kanute / Tom Bishop PTO European Open 2023 Ibiza
Former American Olympic triathlete shares the “s*** side of the sport” after Miami T100
Brownlee Fitness Marathon Training Plan
Brownlee overcomes road closure to record rapid run split at Northern Road Relays
Lucy Charles-Barclay comes home second at the Miami T100.
Lucy Charles-Barclay reveals injury struggle that almost kept her from competing in Miami T100
Sam Long wins IRONMAN 70.3 St George 2023 photo credit Jacob Kupferman / Getty Images for IRONMAN
American middle distance star doubling up with back-to-back IRONMAN Series and T100 races
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
Invalid email address
The SBRX Group

Proudly elevating endurance sports through content, products & services

SBRX
RUN247
Share to...