Colchester’s Wendy Staines has qualified to represent Team GB at the 2014 European and World competitions after victory at an Ironman competition.

Staines was the first woman home at the Anglian Triathlon in Norfolk, after recording an overall time of 11 hours 26 minutes 27 seconds.

She completed a 2.4-mile North Sea swim, a 112-mile bike ride and a 26.2-mile run to earn first place in the ladies category and 13th overall.

Staines said: “On the morning of the competition I had to wake up at 3.30am and it was an incredibly exhausting day.

“Getting up on the podium the next day to receive my prize was a little painful!

“I’m now resting for a week but am due to complete a 100-mile cycle ride next weekend.”

The Anglian Triathlon, which took place in Cromer, is notorious for being one of the toughest challenges on the planet and only the very best athletes manage to complete it.

The course was extremely challenging, with 1,389 feet of climbing during the bike ride, tricky terrain for the marathon run and unseasonably chilly water temperatures during the sea swim.

Many spectators lined parts of the cyclists’ and runners’ routes to cheer them on, especially around Cromer Lighthouse during the final stage.

Former Team GB triathlon athlete Staines trains young triathletes at New Hall School, an independent boarding and day school for 3-18 year olds in Chelmsford.

Many of the students she coaches are now competing at national level.