Bermudian Gilbert Darrell has successfully completed the Hawaii Ironman Triathlon, considered one of the toughest races in the world.

Darrell finished Saturday's event - a 2.4 mile swim followed by a 112-mile cycle followed by a 26.2 mile marathon - in 12 hours, 59 minutes and 54 seconds.

"The swim was hard under quite challenging conditions with five to six foot surf," said Darrell, who will return to Bermuda on Wednesday.

"The ride was uneventful until approximately mile 25 when strong headwinds of 20 to 30 mph made for very difficult riding conditions and slow progress. I had a tailwind for about 10 miles at the turn around point on the bike - the winds historically change direction at about midday, and true to form they did.

"But I had to ride the better part of 40 miles with a 20 to 25 mph headwind on a rolling, undulating course with many hills. As a result, these difficult ride conditions made for a challenging run!"

The event, which only a handful of Bermuda residents have ever completed, was won this year by American Tim DeBoon in eight hours, 29 minutes and 56 seconds.

Top woman was Switzerland's Natascha Badmann in 9:07.54.