Over 2,000 athletes race in ironman triathlon at New Zealand's Lake Taupo

STORY: Over 2,000 athletes race in ironman triathlon at New Zealand's Lake Taupo DATELINE: Dec. 10, 2022 LENGTH: 00:03:47 LOCATION: TAUPO, New Zealand CATEGORY: SPORTS SHOTLIST: 1. various of the ceremonial Maori Haka war dance before the start of the Ironman New Zealand race 2. various of Ironman New Zealand race STORYLINE: More than 2,000 athletes from over 40 countries and regions competed in two ironman triathlon races in heavy rain, both held on Saturday inside and around New Zealand's Lake Taupo, the largest freshwater lake in Australasia. Ironman New Zealand sees athletes take on a 3.8km swim starting and finishing on the shores of Lake Taupo, a 180km ride taking in the rural landscape surrounding Taupo, and a 42.2km run along the lakefront. Ironman 70.3 (miles) New Zealand athletes will swim 1.9km, bike 90km, and run 21.1km. Auckland-based Dan Plews claimed the overall men's age-group title in 8:50:12, while Melbourne-based Vanessa Murray won the women's event, crossing the line in 9:41:10.