Army captain Kat Matthews roars to record-breaking victory at IRONMAN Texas
British Army captain Kat Matthews has made history by taking the win at IRONMAN Texas while also setting a new world record time for a full-distance race by a woman.
This is Capt Matthews' third consecutive win in Texas, this time completing the course in a staggering 8:10.34, finishing ahead of American favourite Taylor Knibb.
BFBS Sport also understands that Matthews' win in Texas marked her final race as a serving member of the UK Armed Forces.
Capt Matthews trailed Knibb for most of the race distance, but it was the run course where the Army captain took a big chunk out of Knibb's lead and passed her as they approached the 10-mile mark.
Knibb would follow Matthews to finish 10 minutes behind her as Australia's Lisa Perterer finished third to round out the podium.
Speaking to IRONMAN at the finish line, Capt Matthews said that she's "really proud" of her performance in Texas.
She said: "I'm really proud to pull together that (performance) against this field. Seriously, I'm really happy.
"I wasn't feeling great to be honest. I thought, just ease into it, but the speed came quite easily, and the time just haemorrhaged.
"I feel lucky to sort of claw back time really quickly and stay positive for most of it.
"I really feel like the depth of the women's field is growing and growing and the competition level of these (IRONMAN) Pro Series races really brings everyone together."
Capt Matthews now moves up to third place in the overall IRONMAN Pro Series Standings, with the top spot currently occupied by Australia's Chloe Lane.
Her win in Texas has earned Capt Matthews $28,000 in prize money.
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