Chris McDonald
Defending men's Challenge Wanaka winner Chris McDonald
was a surprise withdrawal from the long-distance race,
announced at a pre-race press conference in Wanaka yesterday.
Challenge Wanaka race director Victoria Murray-Orr said
McDonald was a "last-minute" withdrawal from the 2010 event
and would not defend the title and race record, which he set
last year.
Murray-Orr said she did not know why McDonald had decided not
to enter.
The big Australian was a popular winner last year on his way
to setting a race record of 8hr 37min 41sec.
United States triathlete Justin Dearr, a long-time training
companion of McDonald, said his friend was taking time out
from the sport to allow himself recovery time after he found
himself struggling with his training requirements.
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