Kiwi Mel Burke is ready for another challenge after winning the ITU Long Distance Duathlon World Championships.
Burke won gold by more than three minutes in Zofingen, Switzerland – completing the 10km run, 150km bike and 30km course in 7hrs, 11mins and 43secs.
She was given a warm welcome home at Auckland International airport last weekend from family, friends and supporters.
"Most of my family and friends were watching the live race report and were pretty excited. It was such an awesome surprise to see them all at the airport,” Burke said.
"I still can't believe it really. I was hoping I'd pull it off during the bike since I had a bit of a lead but I wasn't sure about that last run. Once I made it to the finish line it was a pretty awesome feeling.”
Burke was also given a big welcome back to work, where her championship medal currently sits on her desk.
The 31-year-old has now competed in a total of five duathlon events – and won four of them.
It's a stellar strike rate from Burke, having claimed the New Zealand National Duathlon Championships three years in a row along with the ITU Long Distance Duathlon World Championships.
She's only been competing for the last three years following a background in marathon running. After taking up cycling she decided to combine her two favourite sports and the rest is history.
In the afterglow of her success, Burke is either hoping to make a cycling team or take up her invitation to Powerman Malaysia in November – although having no sponsors makes the expensive trip unlikely.
Tri NZ Member/World Champs Manager Claire Attwood is delighted for Burke having seen first-hand her rapid progression in the sport.
"Mel has an outstanding talent in the sport of duathlon. We've seen it already in New Zealand and now her long distance duathlon world title proves she's one of the best in the world,” Attwood said.
"Duathlon is still relatively small in New Zealand but hopefully Mel's achievements continue to make people stand up and take notice."
Powerman Duathlon World Championships
Zofingen, Switzerland
(10km run, 150km bike, 30km run)
Elite Women
1. Melanie Burke (NZL) 7:11.43
2. Eva Nyström (SWE) 7:15.10
3. Erika Csomor (HUN) 7:22.42
4. May Kerstens (NED) 7:27.26
5. Ulrike Schwalbe (GER) 7:38.41
