Hà Thị Hậu crosses the finish line of Ultra-Trail Australia By UTMB's women's 50km on May 13 in Katoomba, New South Wales. Photo Ultra-Trail Australia

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam’s Hà Thị Hậu claimed victory in the women’s Ultra-Trail Australia By UTMB in her first-time participating at the event on May 13 in Katoomba, New South Wales.

Hậu was impressive on her way to the podium's top step, pushing ahead early and extending her lead throughout the 50km race.

She crossed the finish line in 4hr 47.41min, with Newcastle’s Stephanie Auston just over six minutes behind, closely followed by Dutch runner Renee Cardinaals, who was less than a minute behind in third, with all three in the top 10 overall.

On the men's side, Sydney’s Blake Turner won in 4:20.13, more than four minutes clear of Canberra’s Charlie Hamilton, with Ben Duffus third.

“I feel good, great, I couldn’t imagine that I could win this race, I didn’t think it was possible,” said Hậu at the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains.

Champion Hà Thị Hậu (centre) and two runners pose for a photo after they claim the top three places of the Ultra-Trail Australia By UTMB. Photo courtesy of MUDE

“The downhills were good for me, I like the downhills very much, and the course is so beautiful. This is my first time racing in Australia, and I greatly enjoyed it. I came here to enjoy it, I run with my speed, and I’m happy with that.”

It was Hậu's second win at the UTMB World Series. She won the first one at the Doi Inthanon Thailand by UTMB last December.

Last month, she championed the XTERRA Asia-Pacific Trail Run Championship and qualified for the world championship in October in the US. VNS