Annabel Luxford takes first win since Hawaii ironman triathlon heart scare

FORMER world No. 1 triathlete Annabel Luxford has raced — and won — for the first time since a heart problem forced her onto the roadside at the Hawaii ironman triathlon.

Annabel Luxford has returned to the winners’ circle after a heart scare in Hawaii.

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FORMER world No. 1 triathlete Annabel Luxford has raced — and won — for the first time since a heart problem forced her onto the roadside during the dying stages of the Hawaii ironman triathlon in Kona in October.

Luxford had been tipped to make a big impression on debut in the Hawaii ironman but a frightening attack of arrhythmia on the final run sent her to the sidelines.

Annabel Luxford is one of the best runners in the sport but pulled out of the Hawaii ironman on the final leg.

“It was scary,’’ said Luxford who pulled out 12km into the final 42.2km run leg.

“I’d had it a few times before but I’d never had it in a race until then.

“It took a while to go down and I wasn’t keen to push on.’’

Top Australian triathletes Greg Welch, a former Hawaii ironman and world Olympic distance winner, and multiple world champion Emma Carney both retired from the sport due to heart issues.

Luxford underwent extensive medical checks post the Hawaii ironman before deciding to race in a half ironman at Penrith on Sunday.

Annabel Luxford before a race in Ballarat last year.

“There is an arrhythmia but it doesn’t appear dangerous as it’s so infrequent.

“He (the doctor) didn’t seem to have a problem with me doing more (races).’’

Luxford covered the 1.9km swim, 90km cycle and 21km run course at the Western Sydney 70.3 race in 4hrs 08min 39 sec to finish almost six minutes ahead of Kirralee Seidel with Natalie van Coevorden third.

Dan Wilson won the men’s race from Ryan Fischer and James Davy.

Luxford, who works four days a week, said she is keen to have another shot at the Hawaii ironman next year.

“I just want to go and feel I’ve had a good race,’’ she said.