Ex-detective, 65, staggers to win in Iron Man race

Neil Hunter staggered to the finishing line

A former detective superintendent has become the world champion IronMan triathlete for men over 65 after a cliffhanger finish.

Neil Hunter, from Great Harwood, Lancashire, said he ended the event in Nice in the south of France by staggering over the line in scenes of reminiscent of Jonny Brownlee's 2016 World Championships finish.

"I'm not sure it has entirely sunk in yet," the 65-year-old said, adding: "Whoever says dreams don't come true are talking rubbish... mine did at the Nice IM world championship."

He added: "I had a proper 'Brownlee' moment. I was so exhausted, I lost all co-ordination and fell over numerous time and had to crawl over the finishing line."

Hunter said a miscalculation caused his finish line wobble.

"I was unaware where my nearest competitor was and so pushed really hard on the run," he said.

He added: "I had a near-perfect race and was looking at an 3:20-3:25 marathon. So, everything was going well until the second half of the final lap of the four lap run. It was close to 30 degrees and I foolishly went into the red.

"I am still not sure how I made it to the finishing line.

"If the world championship hadn't been on the line, I would've definitely stopped. In fact, several officials who came to my assistance as I continually fell over wanted me to stop."

'Extra special'

Hunter thanked other competitors who checked on his welfare, and said having his wife and friends there had made it "extra special".

"All I could think of is I may never have this opportunity to lead and/or win a world championship again.

"So, I gritted my teeth and through determination and bloody mindedness, I got it done. I'm not sure I would recommend it, it was the strangest feeling ever.

"Despite the distressing scenes at the end, which was a worry for family and friends, gorging on the post-race banquet soon had me back to my normal self."

The triathlete won British duathlon championship titles in 2021 and 2022, and secured silver medals at the European duathlon championships in 2022 and 2023.

The event too place over a 2.4-mile (3.8-km) swim, a 112-mile (180-km) bike ride and a marathon.

He recorded a swim time of 78 minutes. In the cycling his time was six hours nine minutes, and he completed the marathon course in three hours 38 minutes.