Athletics: Morrison's iron will sees her win endurance event

Published on Monday 24 May 2010 09:53

CATRIONA MORRISON warmed up for September's World Duathlon Championships in Edinburgh with a miraculous victory in the Lanzarote Ironman event.

The triple world gold medallist from Broxburn overcame a broken bike chain and a 28-minute deficit to also qualify for October's World Ironman Championships in Hawaii.

The 33-year-old was in second place after clocking 52mins 38secs for the 3.8km swim, but the snapped chain cost her half an hour on the 180km bike ride, leaving her way behind Canadian leader Tara Norton.

Morrison then ran an heroic marathon in 3hrs 4mins 36secs to rip through the field. She eventually completed the ten-hour race just 88secs ahead of Nottingham's Louise Collins. "Everything was going splendidly and I was strong and in control, but then the chain snapped and I was down and out at the side of the road," she recalled.

"There were phone calls galore to try and get the mechanic to me, so I hydrated, ate some food, sat in the shade and shot the breeze with the locals and spectators.

"Eventually, with a big shove from a couple of German boys, I was back on the road.

"I passed four girls on the third lap but, even in the last 5.5km, I wasn't sure I was going to do it – a gap of 1min 40secs seemed like an eternity.

"I kept looking to see if I could spot the lead woman, and then she was there and I was passing her. I really felt for Louise Collins."