Former Commonwealth Games athlete Karen Smith has secured herself a coveted place in the world’s greatest triathlon the Hawaii Ironman after winning her age group in the Bolton Ironman in England.Despite breaking her shoulder while training earlier this year, she proved her ability to bounce back in impressive style to finish the gruelling event in 10 hours, 30 minutes and 49 seconds. She was the eighth woman to finish overall and the third amateur.For Smith the ultimate prize in Bolton was to win a place in the sport’s number one event, which takes place in Hawaii this October. Last year she ended up on the podium in Kona when she was third in the 40-44 age division.Competing in the north-west of England at the weekend, she claimed a personal best in the 2.4 mile swim where she clocked a time of 58.54.“I wore a wet suit for the swim and it was in a calm lake rather than the open sea with ocean currents. Although my shoulder is still not 100 percent I did a good time,” said Smith.The 112-mile cycle ride was on a three-lap route and was one of the hardest the Bermuda athlete has faced. She completed the distance in 6.03.55“It was really challenging probably one of the hardest courses in the Ironman circuit with hills, headwinds and false flats,” she said.However, she felt good even on the uphill of the final lap. She then completed the final discipline, a full 26.2-mile marathon run, in 3.19.29.“The run was relatively flat compared to the bike ride. There was a lot of fan support. However, there were no mile markers so I had to run on how I felt.“I started to feel my legs seize up just before the finish. But I’m quite pleased.“The conditions were good although it was quite windy. It was overcast and around 58F when we started at 6am and went up to 70F,” said Smith.“Coming from Bermuda, where it is hot and humid, really helps when you go away to races because you have almost an extra gear to go into.”Competing in Bolton, and staying only a few miles from Manchester, sparked some happy memories for Smith as one of the highlights of her sporting career was competing in the triathlon in the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games.She decided to race in Bolton at the suggestion of fellow Bermuda athlete and training partner Julia Hawley, who also took part. Hawley impressed with a 1.02.40 swim and a 6.27.34 cycle, but was forced to retire after 14 miles in the marathon due to a knee injury.The timing of the race, over the Cup Match holiday weekend, also made it easier for Smith to fit it into her schedule.While in Europe she was also able to watch some of the famous Tour de France cycle race before heading to England for the Ironman event.Her result in Bolton secures her a place in the Hawaii Ironman. Smith, who is the current Bermuda SheROX Triathlon champion, intends to allow her body time to recover during the next three or four weeks before starting her build-up towards Hawaii.