Phil takes on the world one more time

WONTHAGGI’S amazing, world-class Ironman, Phil Hanley, doesn’t even need to go to the Sunshine Coast for their 70.3 Ironman event, at Moolooaba, Queensland on September 11, to qualify for the World Championships in Utah USA in October.

On the back of winning his age group at three of these gruelling events this season, at Melbourne, Geelong and Cairns; he’s already secured his spot on the Australian team for the St George Utah event, out in the desert between Salt Lake City and Las Vegas.

But he’s going to Queensland anyway!

And those who’ve witnessed his drive to train and prepare for these superhuman events wouldn’t wonder why, only shaking their heads and acknowledging: “That’s Phil!”

But this time, knocking on the door of 70 years of age, Phil has a gold-plated chance to finally go one better than his three second-place world championship results at various age-group levels over the years in Auckland New Zealand, in Nevada USA and Port Elizabeth South Africa.

His philosophy is simple this time around.

“Don’t be injured, be fresh, the rest will take care of itself,” he said between training rides during the week.

It’s a message that will resonate with many who know of Phil’s terrible bike crash a few years ago.

His training schedule is brutal, but he loves it.

“They behaved themselves this week,” he says of the Saturday morning pack that regularly heads out around the Wattlebank and Cape Paterson circuit, for a bunch ride over 40km that forms part of Phil’s preparations.

There’s four days of rides each week, three days of swims and four days of running regardless of the weather.

“This will be my fourth worlds and I’ve finished second at each of the other three but I’m just coming into this next age group now so that certainly helps,” said Phil.

He completed the 1.9km swim, 90km ride and 20km run in Melbourne in a time of 5.05 hours, which was a record for his age group, and a competitive time on the world scene.

“I’d be happy with that, but I think I’ll have to pull out a PB to win it. The main thing now is to get there fit and healthy.”

The Utah event is over the same distances as Melbourne, but while the swim is in a lake, the 20km run and 90km ride are listed as “hilly”.

“In this desert of extremes, a land carved by ancient seas, a challenge lies waiting. Rise to it,” says the publicity for St George.

So, it’s off to Queensland in a few weeks’ time and then the World Championships on October 28 and 29 in St George Utah – all the best Phil!