Army Triathlete Finishes Second In Ironman North American Championship

Army triathlete Captain Kat Matthews put in one of her most impressive performances of her career as she finished as runner-up in the Ironman North American Championship.

Capt Matthews started the race with a five-minute time penalty but bounced back with a stellar showing.

The recovery came during the marathon part of the event in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she put in an incredible time of 02:49:49.

That meant she had an overall time (cycling, swimming and marathon) of 08:45:35 and ended up just five minutes and one second off the winner, Danielle Ryf from Switzerland.

A video posted on Twitter by Capt Matthews' team, BMC Pro Triathlon, showed the Army athlete crossing the line with a huge smile on her face.

In the build-up to the event, Capt Matthews told Forces News that she was expecting a tough race.

She said: "It's the first full-distance, long Ironman distance, this year.

"My last one was in December in Florida which I took the win at. This one's a little bit more steep in competition."

Capt Matthews started off her season last month in the Canary Islands, where she finished fourth in the Challenge Mogán Gran Canaria triathlon.

Cover image: File photo of Captain Kat Matthews.