Jackson's will of iron

BY SCOTT MORGAN

Ironman has become such a way of life for Tony Jackson, even life-threatening cancer couldn't stop him competing.

At 71 years old, Jackson is set to complete his 26th Ironman New Zealand this Saturday in Taupo.

This year Jackson says he’s almost back to his best after completing the 2008 race between radiotherapy sessions he received as part of treatment for a brain tumour.

Originally doctors had given Jackson just 12 weeks to live, but a determination
to compete and a stroke of luck saw him to the start line.

"They just happened to take the radiotherapy machine off air that Friday, so we shot off to Taupo.

"I was checked out by the doctor at the event and he said everything was okay so we gave it a go."

While it took more than 16 hours to complete the race with his wife Verna alongside him the whole way, Jackson says one particular moment made the whole race worthwhile.

"At one point a guy came running out of the darkness and said: ‘Are you Tony Jackson?’

"He said: ‘I have got the same thing as you, but I’m locked up in my house and afraid to go out the front door. I’m getting a bike tomorrow’.

"I thought if I could just switch somebody on that would be great and it’s the biggest feedback I’ve had."

The Mt Albert resident is one of only two men to complete all 25 Ironman New Zealand races since the event began in 1985 on Auckland’s waterfront.

The event consists of a 3.8km swim, 180km bike ride and 42.2km run.

Last year the sports
masseur, who’s also done
the infamous Hawaii ironman three times, completed the race in just over 14 hours.

But he says predicting a time is difficult because the weather can be so changeable.

Despite Hawaii’s tough reputation, Jackson says each race has its own variables that have to be dealt with.

"In Hawaii it’s hot but I don’t mind the heat so much. There’s zero humidity so you can tip a cup of water over yourself and it cools the body down.

"In Auckland it was sometimes 70 percent humidity. You just couldn’t get cool."

The social element of ironman is another reason Jackson keeps going back for more.

"The type of people you meet doing this sort of thing are really good people."

He says the social side of the sport can include everything from training together to enjoying a few wines and nibbles afterwards.

Ironman New Zealand spokesman Ian Hepenstall says Jackson is an amazing person.

"Tony’s a very special man, not withstanding because he was only given weeks to live and he’s done all 25 races.

"He’s a hell of a good athlete as well and sums up everything ironman is about."

Hepenstall says preparations for the event are going well, with 1252 people from 39 countries entered in the race.

While Jackson is one of the ironman’s oldest competitors, Taupo resident Neil Fleming will be the most senior person taking part on the day at age 73.

- © Fairfax NZ News