Hong Kong: Debutants Andrew Patrick and Ian Brownlee finished a gruelling Australian Ironman triathlon - 3.8-kilometre swim, 180-km bike and a 42.2 km marathon - over the weekend with times they can only better in the future.

Patrick, chairman of the Hong Kong Triathlon Association, had hoped to better the Hong Kong Ironman record held by Kim Isherwood of nine hours, 56 minutes and that of the fastest man - John Taylor - with 9:58:00.

But a back problem put paid to Patrick who finished in 13:16:40 or 170th in his age group. Brownlee finished in 13:57:02 or 77th in his 45-49 years age group.