Newport triathlete's third European gold at age 69

Hilary Stevenson completed the hat-trick in the 65-69-year old women's category at the ETU European Championships in Alanya, Turkey.

This latest victory, which was Stevenson's fourth in the event in five years, was achieved in scorching sun and high temperatures.

She completed the Olympic distance course – which encompasses a 1.5km swim, a 40k bike ride and a 10km run.

It was almost seven minutes faster then second-placed Sandra Abrams, also of Great Britain, in three hours 10 minutes and 31 seconds.

Stevenson, who is a member of Nova Raiders Cycling Club in Newport, said. "This one was probably the hardest and the run was horrendous.

"We were just tipping bottles of water over ourselves because of the heat I have won the category four times in the last five years.

"But I wanted to win it three times on the trot and I am so proud to have done it."

The feat, which follows successes in the same event in 2011 and 2012, was even more remarkable as Stevenson did not take up the sport until about 12 years ago.

The grandmother-of-six used to run marathons but she took her first steps in triathlon after a suggestion from her dentist, a keen participant in sport.

She entered the 2002 London Triathlon, winning her age group, and a top three finish in the Ellesmere Triathlon in 2003 earned her a place in the world championships in New Zealand later the same year.

She has been competing at world-class events ever since and can also count a world championship bronze medal in her glittering collection of prizes.

Far from slowing down after her recent European hat-trick Stevenson has no plans to throw in the towel just yet.

She is currently in the process of qualifying for the World Championships which take place in London in September.

She said: "When my body gives up I will give up. I love the variety of it.

"If you are training for a marathon you are running on the road every day, but here you are also cycling and swimming."

Stevenson currently trains one-and-a-half hours a day six days a week.

She thanked her coach Andy Williams, from Wem, as well as Newport Running Club's Tony Churm for his help in training in the build up to her latest win.