MADALENE Cleary is officially a world-class ironwoman, proud to have been part of an “epic” day in which she swam, biked and ran in the Ironman World Championship.

Held annually in the town of Kailua-Kona in Hawaii, the championship is the pinnacle of Ironman triathlons and draws in thousands of competitors, with the Casterton local one of 300 athletes from Australia to take part.

After completing the high-profile triathlon earlier this month, Cleary said it was an “incredible experience” to be a part of.

“The course was hot and brutal, but also beautiful,” she said.

“I made sure I took a moment to appreciate all that was the Kona Ironman World Championship and the achievements and dedication of all my fellow racers.”

The first leg of the championship was the 3.8-kilometre swim, which she completed in an hour and six minutes to get off to a strong start in the top 50 of the 30 to 35 years age group.

“I had a great swim coming out of the water … exceeding my expectations,” she said.

“Swimming in the clear blue waters with the sun rising over the mountains is something special.”

Next was the bike ride, the longest section of the full course at 180 kilometres.

Cleary rode at a time of 6 hours and 24 minutes, averaging over 28 kilometres an hour.

“I didn’t quite have the speed I was looking for out there, but I really enjoyed the ride through the famed lava field looking out over the ocean,” she said.

Braving the burning sun and extreme humidity, Cleary finished the ride in six hours and 24 minutes, with “a smile on my face” and the certainty of being able to finish the full race.

She said she spent 30 kilometres of the 42.2-kilometre run setting herself a pace of running by three marking cones then walking to the next on repeat.

“Small achievable goals are so important to have to help achieve a larger goal,” she said.

“A sense of achievement regularly and then suddenly that finish line is right there in front of you.”

By the time the sun had set on Kailua-Kona, Cleary was on the last three kilometres of her massive challenge.

“I really enjoyed those final few kilometres along, taking me towards the famous Ali’i Drive and then onto the red carpet to have ‘The Voice of Ironman’ call out, ‘Madalene Cleary from Victoria, Australia, you are an Ironman’,” she said.

Her run time of five hours and five minutes capped off a full performance which totalled a gruelling 12 hours and 51 minutes.

Although it was a “tough day out” both mentally and physically, Cleary said she “loved every minute” of the “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity”.

“It is so special to get to be out there on the course with the top female athletes in the world,” she said.

“To be able to watch them ride or run past – it’s certainly another massive addition to this incredible experience.”

She also paid tribute to the support of her family as well as her coach, Vanessa Murray.

“She is an incredible athlete and coach … and I can’t thank her enough for getting me to where I am,” she said.

Cleary is still in the United States as she prepares for the Half-Ironman World Championship in St George, Utah.

She will participate there in the early morning of Saturday, 29 October, local time.