Wanaka's Braden Currie ran his way to runner-up in the World Xterra Championships in Hawaii yesterday in his third attempt at this race, which attractsa stellar field of international athletes.
Currie (29) has put everything into racing these intense off-road triathlon Xterra events this year and his focust and dedication saw him topple pre-race favourite and three-time Xterra Worlds winner Spaniard Ruben Ruzafa on the 10km trail run.
Currie finished in 2hr 38min 30sec, less than three minutes behind American athlete Josiah Middaugh (2:35:32) and more than two minutes ahead of Ruzafa (2:40:40).
''This result was definitely a big step forward for me. I'm stoked to have finally beaten Rubenand to finish so close to Josiah,'' Currie said.
''To be racing at the level of these two legends is awesome but next year I'll be coming back to win. While second is an indication of the progress I've made, it just gives me more drive to come back in 2016 and claim that top step of the podium.''
His 1.5km open water swim went as planned and Currie exited the ocean close behind the leading bunch of five.
Currie made up time running to the transition and within a short time on the bike, had them in his sights.
Only Australian Olympian triathlete Courtney Atkinson remained in front and Currie passed him.
Ruzafa appeared not long after and the pair tussled for the lead and the Spanish athlete made a break on Currie.
He was in front by about 50m as they began the second climb of the steep 32km mountain bike.
Middaugh had been gaining on the front two, and made a move past when Currie stopped to check his tyre was not flat.
Heading into the final discipline, a near vertical trail run, Currie was only about 2min 20sec down on Ruzafa and 45sec off Middaugh.
He called on all his energy reserves to bridge the gap to what he believed was going to be a third place result.
In only his third year of Xterra racing Currie has shot up from placing 17th in his first Xterra Worlds attempt in 2012, to fifth the following year and is now a serious title prospect.
The other four Wanaka athletes had a mixed set of results. Kristy Jennings finished seventh in her 35 39 age group category, losing a sprint finish for sixth; Mike Johnston (35-39) was 10th in 3:17:27; Andrew McLeod finished ''mid pack'' in 55 to 59, ''after an extended walk on the run''; and Jess Simson, who was racing in the women's pro section said she had ''a great race but pushed too hard and had a seizure with only a kilometre to go''.
She was taken to hospital and was recovering last night.
