Plews control for thrilling FNQ course
HIGH performance trainer Dan Plews did not know what to expect from the Cairns Ironman 70.3.
The event winner, who qualified for the world championships in US later this year, described the Far North course as “amazing”.
“The conditions out there were spectacular and this is a beautiful course,” he said.
“The bike course was really rolling and I didn’t know it was 2:18:46 1:18:59 2:16:36 1:24:32 4:11:03 2:17:55 going to be like that and didn’t prepare for it but the run was pretty good – nice and flat and quick.”
Plews finished the 1.9km RUN FINISH 4:09:04 1:27:04 4:14:14 swim, 90km ride and 21km run in a time of four hours and nine minutes.
He travelled to Cairns to help Ironman Tim van Berkel defend his title and entered the 70.3 event in a bid to book his place at the Ironman World Championships in Chattanooga in September.
With his pregnant wife due to give birth on October 21, Plews put plans to compete in Hawaii on hold and focus on the Tennessee River event.
“I have been told it is a pretty hard course so that will suit me,” he said.
Plews finished tenth place at Ironman New Zealand earlier this year.
He said it held him in good stead for the Cairns event despite only putting in two weeks’ preparation for yesterday’s race.
It was his first time competing in the Far North.
“I have never been towards Port Douglas before, it is amazing,” he said.
“I had a bit of a look when I could and I tried to take it in as best as I could when I had the opportunity.
“It is not always possible when you are going flat out.
“I am super happy with the race and my result.”