Wanaka helicopter pilot Steve Combe did it by dressing up as a "super hero" to raise funds for a cancer sufferer, while the other, mother-of-seven Vinnie Duncan (47), finished the Challenge Wanaka 3.8km swim, 180km cycle and 42.2km run in 13hr 9min to celebrate surviving the disease.
It was no wonder Combe turned heads when as, part of a team entered in the event, he donned a Wonder Woman costume for his 42km mission.
Combe's costumed caper may have looked like a drag to some, but it was all in the name of a good cause - $1500 was raised for Hawea Flat cancer sufferer Margie Gillian.
The pair crossed the line together with much vocal support from the large crowd.
"It was great for Margie, who has been through a lot lately, to see all the support," Combe said.
Duncan, of Auckland, also had company crossing the line - six of her seven children joined her in what had become a tradition for the family.
They did the same for their father, Andrew, an hour later.
"They were out there yelling and supporting us. They see what goes into training and I hope they feel proud and inspired by the whole thing,"she said.
Daughter Mary (18) said being there to support their parents had become a "big thing" for the family.
"We're quite proud of them. It's amazing to watch her beat Dad and think she may not have been here to do that."
Duncan said about five years ago she survived a "particularly brutal bout of cancer" when the odds were against that happening.
Having faced her own mortality, she wanted to take advantage of her second chance at life so decided to give long-distance triathlons a go.
She had since completed five.
"For me, initially, ironmans were me 'flipping the bird' at the big C. Once I'd done one, I realised I could do it and it's become a drug - it's addictive."
She managed to juggle the training and raising a family, she said.
"Sometimes, I think the only peace and quiet I get is when I'm out running and biking."
New Zealand competitors took the honours in the Challenge Wanaka event, with Gina Crawford (Christchurch) winning the women's title in 9hr 28min 57sec and Richard Ussher (Nelson) racing home first in the men's event in 8hr 34min 41sec.
