Photos: 2013 Ironman Melbourne Press Launch

Craig Alexander (AUS), Minister for Sport and Recreation Hugh Delahunty and Luke Bell (AUS) at the launch event in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Photo: Lucas Wroe

Hugh Delahunty chats with Craig Alexander and Luke Bell. Photo: Lucas Wroe

The launch event took place Sunday, Feb. 24. Photo: Lucas Wroe

The event took place at Etihad Stadiumin Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Photo: Lucas Wroe

Photo: Lucas Wroe

“It’s great to be racing at home. There is a great feeling out on Beach Road right now with all the people out training. The run last year went right past my front door in Sandringham,” Luke Bell said. Photo: Lucas Wroe

Craig Alexander: "For me anytime you get to come back and defend a title that's a good thing. It's about coming back and honoring the title." ‘I probably haven't done the volume of work I did last year but I'm a year older and don’t really need to." "I haven’t had as many distractions as I had last year, so I feel like my preparation this year has been better.”

Craig Alexander. Photo: Lucas Wroe

Geoff Meyer, CEO Ironman Asia-Pacific. Photo: Lucas Wroe

"I am excited to see participants from across Australia and around the world taking up the challenge of competing in this test of endurance. Events such as this inspire more Victorians to become more active, more often," Hugh Delahunty said. Photo: Lucas Wroe

First-time Ironman athlete Natasha Ching was part of the event. Photo: Lucas Wroe

Photo: Lucas Wroe