Versatile athlete Melanie Burke, back from Ironman world champs

Melanie Burke is one of the country's most versatile athletes - she is an accomplished professional athlete with forays into running, duathlons, rowing, cycling and of late Ironman competitions. She grew up in Wanganui - a fairly typical Kiwi childhood, and she now lives and works in Auckland and does a fair bit of travelling abroad to events. Her commitment to sport and training takes up a lot of the 34 year old's time, but Melanie says fortunately her employers are flexible - and she's able to attend overseas endurance meets. She has recently returned from her first professional Ironman champs in Kona, Hawaii, last month (October).