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New Zealand triathlon legend Cameron Brown has shown his undeniable class, taking out the annual Shorebreak Surfbreaker triathlon at Mount Maunganui ahead of two of the sports rising stars.

The 10-time Ironman New Zealand champion breezed to victory ahead of the 120-strong field in a time of 48 minutes 23 seconds – just outside Brent Foster's record of 48.02.

Cameron Brown in action in this year's Shorebreak Surfbreaker triathlon. Photos: Bruce Barnard.

Matamata's Kieran McPherson claimed second with a time of 49.07 and Rotorua's Sam Osborne rounding out the top three with 49.34.

In the women's field NZ triathlete Rebecca Kingsford edged out Nicole Van Der Kaay in a close finish, Rebecca stopping the clock at 54.42 and Nicole 54.58.Tauranga's Sarah Backler finished third with 56.22.

Shorebreak Aquatics event manager Sheryl McLay is delighted with the turn out and high calibre of competitors on show – including 41-year-old Cameron.

'It is really neat to have Cameron back even though he did not quite get the record,” says Sheryl.

'For the likes of Bradley Cullen who won the under 16 race to line up on the same start line as Cameron Brown has just got to be awesome. These are the types of events where I guess these young guys start.”

The Eves sponsored Surfbreaker triathlon attracts competitors throughout the Bay to compete in the sprint distance - 750m swim, 16km bike, 5km run – and the UCan2 375m swim, 8km bike, 2.5km run.

Sheryl says this year's altered race course also proved a hit after being changed to enable a larger transition area at Mt Drury Reserve for the increasing numbers in the annual event.

'I had some positive feedback from that [the new transition area]. Just the volume of space we had in a fairly relaxed area.”

Competitors set off from the surf club to Leisure Island before setting off on the usual cycle course of the entire length of Marine Parade and Oceanbeach Road.

The difference is found in the run as they must run down on to the beach between Banks and Pacific Aves with a soft sand finish opposite Mount Drury.

The triathlon is the first of three events in this summer's Eves Triathlon Series, with the Pilot Bay Classic on January 27 and the Coronation Classic on March 2, 2014.