Wurf the effort for Tassie triathlete as he chases world title

Tasmanian triathlete Cameron Wurf has started his campaign towards the most gruelling event on the planet in the perfect way.

Tassie triathlete Cameron Wurf set a course record in Port Macquarie to take out the 2019 Ironman Australia. Picture: Nils Nilsen/Getty

TASMANIAN triathlete Cameron Wurf has started his campaign towards the most gruelling event on the planet in the perfect way with a win in the Ironman Australia last weekend.

Wurf, who will be competing in his third Hawaiian Ironman world championships in October, set a course record in Port Macquarie (8:06:17) to take out the 2019 Ironman Australia.

The former Olympic rower and professional cyclist looks set to better his efforts once again in Hawaii after finishing ninth last year and 19th on debut the year before.

In last year’s Hawaiian Ironman, Wurf broke the 180km bike leg’s record time for the second year in a row and was in the lead before being run down by a powerful chase group in the marathon leg.

The 35-year-old said it was obvious that he needed to work on his running for the 2019 event.

“I feel like I’ve made a huge improvement in that area, and I even ran my best time for a marathon leg on the weekend,” Wurf said.

“Without getting too carried away, I feel like I’m on track and this result gives me the determination to keep working hard and to put in the effort.”

Wurf was born in Hobart and attended Hutchins, but during his younger years he spent time in the Port Macquarie area with his mum, and Wurf said the connection with the place made the Ironman Australia win extra special.

“I always get support when racing but I could tell there was a difference in the supporters’ voices,” Wurf said.

“It was like they knew me, probably because they felt that connection because I grew up in the area.

“I felt the desire to lift that extra gear and hopefully make them proud of my efforts.”