Harriet Brown has made a sensational return from injury just hours after attending a wedding

Not even a wedding could stop BMD Northcliffe ironwoman star Harriet Brown from making a sensational return to racing.

NOT even a wedding could stop BMD Northcliffe ironwoman star Harriet Brown from making a sensational return to racing.

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The 29-year-old spent her Saturday night celebrating the union of two friends before returning to the Nutri-Grain racing arena on Sunday for the first time in a year to finish third behind Newport young gun Lizzie Welborn and 2019 Coolangatta Gold champion Lana Rogers.

Round two of the Nutri-Grain ironman/woman series. Held at Burleigh Heads. Harriet Brown. Pic Mike Batterham

Brown, who has just finished rehabilitating a high level separation and torn ligaments between her big and second toe, was locked in a four person battle between Rogers, Welborn and teammate Georgia Miller late in the race before finishing third in a sprint to the finish with Welborn, all after a wedding the night before.

“It was actually really fun because it took my mind off things,” Brown said.

“I did a few races yesterday (Saturday) morning at the Summer of Surf, headed to P3 recovery then got all dressed up and went to a wedding.

“I snuck off home between the ceremony and the reception to eat my pre-race meal.”

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After months spent off legs and working on strength in the gym, Brown couldn’t help but reflect on her gruelling recovery.

“I’m actually really proud of myself to get to this point,” she said.

“It’s a funny thing to say but going back to training where I come last in the swim squad lane, and last in the ski, and getting my head around gradually getting better over the weeks.

“It was my goal to have a good race today and prove to myself I’m back and I really felt that today.

“We all knew coming here today, we were super nervous in the tent, that it was going to be a super tough race.”

Harriet Brown and Lizzie Welborn compete during round 2 of the Nutri-Grain Series at Burleigh Heads on November 17, 2019 in Burleigh Heads, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Despite landing herself a spot on the podium in her long awaited return to competition, Brown believes she still has room to improve.

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“I performed some good skills out there which Floody (coach Naomi Flood) will be happy with but I definitely made a few mistakes which may have cost me a bit,” she said.

Series leader and Coolangatta Gold champion Lana Rogers made it a perfect two wins from two starts despite a heart in mouth final moments on the ski where a wave began to drag her sideways.

Lana Rogers celebrates winning round 2 of the Nutri-Grain Series at Burleigh Heads on November 17, 2019 in Burleigh Heads, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

“It was the worst and thank god I’ve been practising it at training,” she said.

“I’ve been practising those skills on the ski and I trusted my gut and backed myself and it paid off.

“It’s a dream come true really.

“I knew the girls were coming and I had to push it hard on that final ski leg and the surf gods where with me.”

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