WEYMOUTH grandmother Linda Ashmore has stormed to victory in the women’s 75-79 Intermountain Healthcare IRONMAN 70.3 World Championships in Utah.

Ashmore, 76, becomes the oldest woman to complete the race, finishing in a time of seven hours, 21 minutes and 22 seconds.

The retired assistant headteacher swam the 1.2-mile water course in 43 minutes and 22 seconds before cycling a 56-mile course through Snow Canyon in three hours, 49 minutes and 44 seconds.

Her efforts set up a half marathon distance of 13.1 miles through downtown St George, ticking off the third leg in two hours, 33 minutes and three seconds to cross the line first in her age group.

READ MORE: Linda Ashmore claims sprint triathlon world title

Speaking to ironman.com, Ashmore said: “I came to win in a good time, but the freezing temperature meant I was more cautious on the bike.

“I am over the moon to have finished and become world champion in my age group and show the world that we should, and can, keep active into our later years.” 

Ashmore is a grandmother of eight, ranging from ages seven to 12, including triplet boys.

When asked how her children feel about her travelling around the world to race IRONMAN triathlon events, she responded: “Children accept all the ‘daft’ things I do, they are adventurous themselves, but my daughter does worry especially as I travel alone.” 

Just three weeks prior to competing in Utah, Ashmore was in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, for her fourth IRONMAN World Championship.

Unfortunately, due to challenging cramps on the run, Ashmore was unable to finish the race. This fuelled her fire for the Utah race and she duly took it down to create history.

The 2022 Intermountain Healthcare IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship, presented by Utah Sports Commission, saw nearly 5,500 athletes ranging from 18-82 from more than 104 countries, regions and territories compete in this world-renowned event.

In order to qualify for the 2022 Intermountain Healthcare IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship, more than 200,000 age-group athletes registered to compete and earn slots at over 100 IRONMAN 70.3 events held worldwide.

Qualification for the 2023 VinFast IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship is already underway as the event will rotate to Lahti, Finland and take place on August 26 and 27.