Who is this Craig Kirkwood guy?
Craig has been in endurance sport since he was 14yrs old (We won’t mention how many years that is) and has many times competed on the world stage at the highest level. As a runner he has been to two World Mountain Running Championships (2006), World Cross Country Championships (1999 & 2000), World Half Marathon Championships (1998), World Student Games 10,000m (1997), and the 2002 Commonwealth Games for the Marathon. As a Triathlete he as been to the World Ironman Championships three times (2009, 2013 & 2015), World 70.3 Champs in 2016 (finishing 6th) and has been selected four times to compete in the ITU World Long Distance Championships (finishing 9th in 2018) and once in the ITU Duathlon World Championships.
CK's History:
Growing up as a young runner in Timaru with no coach Craig had to coach himself. Naturally like any young NZ runner he was drawn to the methodology of the legendary Arthur Lydiard. Using the Lydiard methods he became one of NZ top junior middle-long distance runners. At 18yr he took off to the USA on a scholarship at the University of Oklahoma.
In 1999 he moved to London and met two people (Alan Storey & Kim McDonald) who had a massive influence in making him believe what was possible. Alan became Craig's coach and pushed him to new levels; and Kim hired Craig to become an Athlete Services manager and Assiatant Coach. Kim managed and coached numerous World Record holders, World and Olympic Champions. Being exposed to these athletes had a profound effect on Craig’s running and made him realise what was possible….the ceiling was raised. Craig lifted his game and qualified for the 2002 Commonwealth Games after finishing 13th in 2:13.17 at the 2001 Chicago Marathon.
After moving back to New Zealand in 2002 due to serious injury Craig continued to run road races and the odd Mountain Running Race. In 2006 he went to World Mountain Running Championships and in 2007 he won both Rotorua and Christchurch Marathons. In 2008 after admitting that his days for fast running were over he found a new challenge; IRONMAN.
After buying a bike and a pair of speedos, he set about training for the new challenge. After finishing 4th in his first ever triathlon (2008 Rotorua Half Ironman), Craig went on to be first age grouper home at the 2009 Ironman NZ in 9:09 and qualifiying for Kona. Since then he has done the Hawaiian Ironman twice, Ironman NZ twice more, and Ironman Melbourne.
In 1999 he moved to London and met two people (Alan Storey & Kim McDonald) who had a massive influence in making him believe what was possible. Alan became Craig's coach and pushed him to new levels; and Kim hired Craig to become an Athlete Services manager and Assiatant Coach. Kim managed and coached numerous World Record holders, World and Olympic Champions. Being exposed to these athletes had a profound effect on Craig’s running and made him realise what was possible….the ceiling was raised. Craig lifted his game and qualified for the 2002 Commonwealth Games after finishing 13th in 2:13.17 at the 2001 Chicago Marathon.
After moving back to New Zealand in 2002 due to serious injury Craig continued to run road races and the odd Mountain Running Race. In 2006 he went to World Mountain Running Championships and in 2007 he won both Rotorua and Christchurch Marathons. In 2008 after admitting that his days for fast running were over he found a new challenge; IRONMAN.
After buying a bike and a pair of speedos, he set about training for the new challenge. After finishing 4th in his first ever triathlon (2008 Rotorua Half Ironman), Craig went on to be first age grouper home at the 2009 Ironman NZ in 9:09 and qualifiying for Kona. Since then he has done the Hawaiian Ironman twice, Ironman NZ twice more, and Ironman Melbourne.