ATHLETICS: A Chelmsford triathlete has pulled off a remarkable feat by coming home seventh in her age group in the famous Hawaii Kona Ironman Race.
Melissa Dowell, who trains with the Braintree-based Born2TRi club, came home in an overall time of 10:56:20 and admitted it was a tough event adding: "I was feeling rather dizzy and dry retching at the end so I was taken to the medical tent for my 2 IV drips."
She went on: "During race and post race thoughts were that I definitely didn't want to return to Kona 2013.
"I had achieved my unspoken personal aim of sub 11 hours and a top 10 finish but I still feel I have some unfinished business as the top five podium slots in my age group don't look too far away to be attainable," she continued.
"I was very happy to reach the finish line in under 11 hours, a significant 22 minute chunk off last year's time, in what felt like tougher conditions," she added.
"I had arrived in Hawaii a week before race day but inexplicably felt very flat all week and wondered if I would be able to find my 'race head' in time.
"I kept telling myself how lucky I was to be here as so many athletes strive for years to qualify. It didn't seem to help though, possibly because I knew what was in store from last year."
