Triathlon: 'Best race of life' clinches victory for Morrison in Texas Ironman

Catriona Morrison has gained plenty of perspective in her triathlon career, having claimed three world titles and snatching one victory after overcoming the considerable handicap of having to kick her heels for 45 minutes due to a bike chain malfunction.

However on Saturday, in Texas, the 34-year-old from Broxburn produced what she described as "the best race that I've ever had" to win the Memorial Hermann Ironman in a time of 8 hours 57 minutes and 51 seconds.

It justified Morrison's decision to spend six weeks in the United States away from her husband and the run of chickens they keep in their garden. Fully adjusted to the humidity, the reigning world duathlon champion made herself right at home among some of American's long-distance leviathans.

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Down the field after the hour-long swim, the Scot gained ground on the cycle stage despite a stop-go penalty, sitting in second place behind Belgium's Tine Dekkers as the final marathon run began. Six miles in, she moved in front and was never headed again, ending up more than ten minutes in front of Texan Kelly Williams.

"You know if you have a good day at all three disciplines that you have a chance to win, even though you can't control what anybody else does," said Morrison, who has now assured herself a place at the end of year world championships in Kona, Hawaii.

Elsewhere, two former world champions emerged victorious in the GE Strathclyde Park triathlon in Motherwell. Tim Don, the Great Britain international, was a convincing victor in the men's event after going in front at the start of the bike stage.

In the women's event, Nairn-born Helen Jenkins pulled away from rising prospect Lucy Hall on the run after the pair had broken away.