IronMaori Toa winner Fred Housham grinds it out on the run leg
Fred Housham was happy talking about anyone but himself
Winner of Saturday’s historic IronMāori Toa in Napier
he didn’t regard himself as much of an achiever
You look at everyone on the course and it’s so inspirational,’’ Housham said
Housham was ecstatic to see it become the world’s first indigenous full-distance triathlon and humbled by the 250 people who took to the course with him
It takes a huge amount of courage to even enter an event such as this
IronMāori Toa is not the kind of environment in which anyone is judged
“It’s not about competing it’s just getting out there and making a difference to their lives
it’s a movement more than anything else,’’ said Housham
“The amount of sacrifices these people have made just to get there
“I can’t really applaud IronMāori and those athletes that got to the start line enough.’’
this is an event that aims to change outcomes for people
give them some self-esteem and provide a community to be a part of
That’s not just the competitors themselves but their friends and family too
who each contribute to make this such a rewarding race
“There’s always people to give words of encouragement and a smile
People are hurting but it’s just a good vibe and it’s always been like that at IronMāori and that’s what attracts people,’’ Housham said
Housham describes himself as “a bit of a plodder’' who grinds his way through
About all he’d say of being the first finisher was “it’s a feeling of relief just to stop moving’.’
Natalie Sutton was the first female athlete home
The Saturday closure comes amid a proposal to shut Napier Library for at least two years.