Cameron Brown, Gina Crawford and Nelson based German Britta Martin secured top five finishes at the Challenge Roth ironman event in Germany.
The ten-time Ironman New Zealand champion Brown was strong on the swim and bike but felt the effects of his efforts on the run.
He dug deep however and was able to come away with a well-earned fourth place.
In the women's field, new mother Gina Crawford raced her second iron distance event in two weeks after finishing second at Ironman France.
At Challenge Roth she went below nine hours and ran well to also come home in fourth place.
Britta Martin was less than two minutes behind Crawford, crossing the line to take fifth.
The overall titles were won by James Cunnama of South Africa and Great Britain's Rachel Joyce.
