TAUPO, New Zealand, March 3 (Xinhua) -- More than 2,000 athletes from over 40 countries and regions competed in the 2024 Ironman New Zealand held at Lake Taupo, the largest freshwater lake in Australasia, on Saturday, a historic day as the event celebrates its 40th anniversary.

Ironman New Zealand features a 3.8km swim starting and finishing on the shores of Lake Taupo, a 180km ride taking in the rural landscape surrounding Taupo, and a 42.2km run along the lakefront.

Australia's Steve McKenna became the men's overall champion in eight hours, one minute and 12 seconds, while American Chelsea Sodaro won the women's event in 8:40:06.

This is the second time for McKenna to win in Taupo. "I'm in disbelief still, pretty emotional, I don't know, we said I was going to win this at home but that was me just trying to be confident," said McKenna.

"You never imagine you can win, everything just has to go so perfectly, I'm just still trying to decide that it's real. I'm very, very, very happy," he added.

Sodaro, the 2022 Ironman world champion, was hugely impressive from gun to tape on her Ironman New Zealand debut.

"I'm stoked, absolutely stoked, this is such an iconic race, it's a massive year for this event and to come here and take the win means a lot," said Sodaro.

Ironman New Zealand started to offer slots to the world championship in 1985. The race took place in Auckland until 1998, and then moved to its current venue of Taupo. Enditem

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