Going the distance - Hannah Berry

Elite New Zealand IRONMAN® champion and ANZCO Foods brand ambassador, Hannah Berry, talks about competing in this year’s new IRONMAN Pro Series, taking on the world’s best, and the impact of nutrition on her daily life as a professional athlete.

Q. You’ve been competing in the inaugural season of the IRONMAN Pro Series. Tell us about that experience.
It’s been such a great addition to the race calendar and has brought a whole new approach to the season. In previous years I’ve focused more on the shorter 70.3 races (1.9km swim, 90km cycle and 21.1km run), but to qualify for a ranking in the Pro Series you must complete at least three full distance races (3.8km swim, 180km cycle and 42.2km run) within the year, so it’s certainly been a step up in my race intensity. Winning the IRONMAN Oceania Championship in Cairns back in May was a real highlight for the year, and gave me a huge amount of confidence that I really belonged amongst the best in the world.

Q. How has the requirements of the Pro Series impacted how you have approached your year?
With more racing and international travel, it was really important to have a clear plan locked in early in the year so I could map out those key training blocks. Competing in one full distance IRONMAN is demanding, let alone three in the same season, so it’s vital that you have the fundamentals in place to stay in good health, which means an even bigger focus on great nutrition and prioritising good sleep.

Q. Your biggest race of the year was the women’s IRONMAN World Championship in Nice, France. Talk us through that experience.
This was the first year that the women’s World Championship was held in France. Traditionally we race in Kona, Hawaii, so it was a really neat experience on a beautiful but brutal course. I had a good ocean swim, coming out in the lead group, unfortunately I then had to deal with a puncture on the incredibly challenging bike course that took us into the mountains, involving 2,400m of elevation, before taking on the run. Despite the bike issues, I managed to stay composed and positive, crossing the finish line in 10th place against the world’s best IRONMAN athletes, which I am very proud of.

Q. The IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship is coming up next month in Taupō for the first time. How excited are you about that opportunity?
Having a race of this magnitude in your own country is something many athletes never get the chance to experience, so it’s very special. Call me biased, but Taupō is truly the best location for an IRONMAN race anywhere in the world. The local community really gets behind it and the course is set up for awesome support from the sidelines, creating an incredible atmosphere that athletes from all around the globe will get to experience in December. It’s also great to have a race just down the road from my home base in Mount Maunganui.

Q. You mentioned that nutrition has been a key focus this year, what role do you believe it plays in your ability to consistently perform?
It plays such a big role in my success. What I have learnt though, is that sometimes simplicity is key. I focus on eating good quality whole foods – plenty of protein, amino acids, zinc, B12, and iron from lean beef and lamb, along with a variety of vegetables and carbohydrates to provide additional vitamins and minerals. Beef and lamb are real constants in my diet. I’ve had issues with low iron in the past, and red meat has proven to be the most effective (and tastiest!) way to ensure I’m sorted on that front.

Q. You’ve been a brand ambassador for ANZCO Foods over the past couple of years. What does their support mean to you as an athlete?
ANZCO Foods is a great company to be associated with and they’re such a wonderful group of people. They have a genuine passion for educating Kiwis on how to get the most out of life through nutrition and good health, and their guiding principles and values certainly align with my own. I feel very privileged to have them as a partner.

Q. ANZCO Foods is also the title partner for IRONMAN New Zealand. What have they brought to the table for IRONMAN and triathlon here in Aotearoa?
They’ve been massive for the sport. Not only are they financially supporting the event but are also active participants in it. They understand what it takes to be an IRONMAN – whether that’s as a professional athlete or age-grouper doing their best to fit in training alongside family, friends and work commitments. ANZCO Foods send a powerful message to competitors and the wider community – that nutrition and good health are intrinsically linked. To get the best out of ourselves in whatever pursuits we take on, we need to be fuelling our bodies and our brains with the right food. Beef and lamb are a really important part of that mix.

Q. Finally, 2024 has been a great year for you. What are your goals for 2025?
It has been such a busy year – and there are still races to complete before 2024 is done. I am looking forward to finishing the year on a high at the 70.3 World Championships in December and then enjoying some time off over Christmas and the New Year, which will give me the chance to decompress and start planning. This year has certainly given me the confidence that I belong in this sport at the highest level, and I want to ensure I build on what I have achieved and make 2025 even better.