From death's door to Taupo Ironman | Bay of Plenty Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Bay of Plenty

Cheating death two years ago after an horrific collision between his bike and a car, Hugh Clark vowed never to let an opportunity pass. Tomorrow, joined by wife Debbie, he will be one of 1252 on the start line at Ironman New Zealand in Taupo. Sports editor Kelly Exelby reports.

WHEN Hugh Clark sees an opportunity or challenge in front of him, he doesn't think "what if", but "why not".

Looking death square in the face and emerging - intact but not unscathed - out the other side tends to have that effect.

When he journeyed down State Highway 2 a year ago to watch the Ironman NZ race in Taupo, Clark, unlike many others, didn't just come home enthused, only for the buzz to die down after a few days. The 55-year-old got online and entered.

Tomorrow, along with 1251 others, he'll be part of one of New Zealand's most gruelling events, a 3.8km swim in Lake Taupo, a two-lap cycle (180km) to Reporoa and back and a 42.2km marathon.

Clark is inspiring, literally cheating death 26 months ago, his face pulverised when, out on a training ride at Welcome Bay, he smashed at high speed into a car.

His upper jaw and nose were broken and his face left with major wounds. Watched by wife Debbie, following on her bike 100m behind, he almost bled to death. He was left in intensive care on a ventilator, in a coma for several days.

Read more in today's Bay of Plenty Times