LUCY Gossage paid tribute to the brave effort put in by her fellow competitors after winning the women’s race at a canter.

The 35-year-old doctor made a mockery of the tough conditions and gruelling nature of the event to breeze home in 9hrs 31mins 58secs.

She was eighth finisher overall, beating many of her male professional counterparts, and came home almost 35 minutes ahead of second-placed woman Caroline Livesey.

But despite seeming to have bundles of energy left at the finish, sprinting back out to celebrate with supporters in the closing straight after romping over the line, Gossage dedicated her win to the brave amateurs still battling away on the course.

“This is proper England today,” she said, after the race was started in near monsoon conditions.

“Gale force winds, chucking it down with rain. It’s a tough course, tough day, kudos to everyone that finished it.

“I almost got blown off my bike a couple of times. Age groupers who are not used to it, kudos to all of them.

“The bike is tough and I think the run is really tough.

“It’s definitely a challenging day out and with conditions like today, anyone that finishes definitely deserves their finishers’ medal.”

Gossage added to her previous Ironman UK victory on the Bolton course in 2013.

And while she is now contemplating going back to her life as a doctor after taking time out of her career to turn pro, she has not ruled out a return to Bolton as an amateur.

“I have good memories from two years ago and it didn’t disappoint,” she added.

“I am pretty pleased with today, to say the least.

“I was elated at the finish. I wanted this win so much.

“I laid it out there that I wanted to win and I knew I wouldn’t be happy if I came second.

“The world championships are the pinnacle, but realistically I am never going to win that, so I just wanted to come here and do myself proud.

“Ironman UK was my first ever Ironman (in 2006) and look at me, I kept coming back.

“I am 35 now so I can’t keep on doing this forever, but I couldn’t have hoped for a better year so far and it would be hard for me not to come back at least one more time.”

There was no shame in finishing behind Gossage for second-placed Livesey, who recorded her best ever Ironman finish since turning pro earlier this year.

The 36-year-old technical design consultant from Harrogate clocked a time of 10:05:21.

“Lucy is in a different time zone,” she said.

“She is an incredible athlete, I think she is at a different level.

"I have stepped my level up this year but I’m not in that sort of league.”

But Livesey said she was spurred on by the local crowd to at least try to chase down Gossage.

And she added: “I appreciate the effort Bolton puts into this event. The support has been amazing, really fantastic on the climbs and the run course. It’s been a real experience, so thank you.”