Karen Smith and Julia Hawley tamed the 'beast' on Sunday morning as the two top local triathletes recorded impressive performances in one of the triathlons toughest challenges, staged in St.Croix, in the US Virgin Islands.

Racing over the Half Ironman distance of 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, and 13.1 mile run, and facing choppy water, rain soaked roads and a demanding run course in hot humid conditions, they tackled the event which is part of the 70.3 mile race series which culminates in the 'Ironman 70.3 World Championships scheduled to take place in Clearwater Florida in November.

Smith recorded a 35 minute 2 second swim time, an impressive 2 hr 59 minute 51second bike ride, and a 1.48.42 run for an overall finish time of 5.23.35, which placed her fourth in her category and 18th overall with the 13 women in the Elite field ahead of her. Her time would have won her category in 2007.

Hawley was timed in 38.45, 3.06.04 and 2.00.56 for a time of 5.45.44 and came 37th overall, with both being awarded places in the 70.3 World Championships in November.

St.Croix has hosted what is regarded as one of the sport's toughest triathlon events for the last 20 years with many of the world's best triathletes challenging the course.

Its crowning feature is the 'beast' - a legendary 600 feet climb on the bike course.

Smith competed in the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne in triathlon and was a sixth place category finisher in last year's Hawaii Ironman. Hawley was also in Melbourne in the cycling events.