Norwich Triathlon's reigning women's Olympic distance champion Kimberley Morrison goes into this year's event in high spirits after winning her age group at Ironman 70.3 Haugesund in Norway.

The 27-year-old's victory in the 25-29 age group was achieved in impressive fashion – placing her eighth overall and as the second British woman to finish.

'I would describe it as my perfect race,' said Morisson, from Gunthorpe in north Norfolk. 'I completed the 1.9km swim in first place and extended my lead to 12 minutes after 90km on the bike around the stunning countryside on the west coast of Norway.

'On to the half marathon run and I extended my lead further, running in a time of one hour 30 minutes. I crossed the line in four hours and 30 minutes.'

Morrison underwent heart surgery at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London as a young child after being born with two holes in her heart but continued her remarkable story by winning the 25-29 age group at the European Triathlon Championships in Austria last year. The Tri-Anglia member has now qualified for the Ironman 70.3 World Championships for the first time, which will be held in Zell am See in Austria at the end of August.

'I was within eight per cent of the pro times so that was probably my biggest achievement because I've done that twice now, in France and Norway, so that's a mini breakthrough,' Morrison added.

'I need to show consistency because I'm hoping to go pro next year at middle distance.'