Bermuda's Karen Smith was the first woman to finish in a triathlon field of 340 at a top race in Canada.

Smith won the Pro Elite women's division and finished 18th overall in the Belwood Triathlon, part of the Subaru Series.

She completed the one kilometre swim/31K cycle /7K run course in one hour, 41 minutes, 29 seconds.

Her run split of 27:02 was particularly impressive and was faster than eight of the 17 men who finished ahead of her.

Smith had stayed on in Canada to compete in the event after representing the Island at last month's World Triathlon Championships in Edmonton, where she placed 15th in the 30-34 age group.

She will return to Bermuda this weekend and begin preparations for defending her national triathlon title in October.

Karen's husband Aaron Smith finished 72nd overall at Belwood and clocked 1:49:35.