Dr Harvey Griggs, a senior lecturer in the School of Management, recently represented Australia at the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii.

Dr Griggs won the right to represent Australia by competing in the New Zealand Ironman in March 2003, where he finished 2nd in the 50-54 age group.

The World Championship race combines a rough water swim (2.4 miles or 3.8 kilometres), a bicycle ride (112 miles or 180 kilometres, originally a two-day event) and a marathon (26.2 miles or 42.1 kilometres).

On October 18, Harvey was the fourth Australian (and first Queenslander) to finish in his age group in a time of 11 hours 51 minutes.

The race started at 7am and during the day the temperature climbed to 37 degrees with 85 per cent humidity. A strong wind hit the riders on the final 60 kilometres of the undulating ride, tiring the legs for the undulating marathon to come. It was brutal out there.

Harvey trained for the event for approximately six months, and swam 300km, rode 9000km and ran 1300km in training.

This was Harvey’s fifth Ironman that he has entered and completed, and finishes his endurance season in fine style. In March, Harvey competed with distinction in the New Zealand Ironman in which he came second in his age group. In April, Harvey was a runner in the Australian Three Peaks race held in Tasmania. His crew won their cruising division. This was his first attempt at the Ironman World Championship, but may not be his last. He could not have done it without the support of his colleagues and Head of School.

Prior to and post event, Harvey conducted research on the human resource management aspects of Ironman volunteers, of which there were 5500. This research will provide input into the recruitment, selection, training and development, and performance appraisal of the volunteers, as well as determining commitment and motivational factors.