Tyler Butterfield had another superb day when he finished in fifth place at the Memorial Hermann Ironman 70.3 on Galveston Island, Texas yesterday.

New Zealand's Terenzo Bozzone won the half Ironman race which consisted of a 1.2 mile swim, a 56-mile bike and a –13.1 mile run.

Since its inception in 2006, the Ironman 70.3 series has become the fastest growing triathlon series in the world but this was Butterfield first 70.3 series this year.

He had previously placed eighth at the Monterrey ITU World Cup in Mexico earlier this month and second at the end of March in the Waikoloa Triathlon in Hawaii ¿ both which are run over the shorter Olympic distance.

"I am feeling a little sore right now," said Butterfield shortly after completing his race in three hours, 53 minutes and 25 seconds.

The Bermudian completed the swim in the saltwater of the protected waters of the Offats Bayouin in 28 minutes and –21 seconds and then clocked two hours, 14 minutes and 53 seconds for the bike portion and finished off in style with the fastest run of the day in one hour, seven minutes and 52 seconds.

Butterfield said: "The swim was OK ¿ not great ¿ but solid. I put my head down on the bike and I felt OK but I knew it was going to be a long time trial.

"I went out hard and settled into a rhythm. It was quite windy and I tried to come home strong but I couldn't seem to put the power down. I held my own though."

And then he managed that excellent run to finish off.

He said: "Some of my mum's family came down to watch me. They live about an hour and half away and I thought I had better give them a good show. I ran as hard as I could.

"It was a very flat bike and run course. I am glad I pulled through with a good run. That is the fastest run all year for this course (70.3). This is my first race this year at that distance ¿ everyone else has done one or two (70.3) races. It is a long time to be on a bike and I haven't done enough hard rides so far this year so I am really pleased with myself."

And the competition was stiff.

Bozzone who won, also won at the Junior Worlds back in 2002 where Butterfield finished in third place.

"Last week Andy (Potts who finished in fourth place yesterday) won the Ironman 70.3 in New Orleans. Terenzo (Bozzone) was second last week and Paul Amey was third last weekend."

Amey finished in sixth place yesterday.

The third place finisher yesterday was Chris Lieto who was second at the Hawaii Ironman last year.

Of Lieto, Butterfield said: "He is so strong on the bike." Lieto was 10 minutes ahead of Butterfield on the bike portion of the event.

Butterfield will now stay in Texas with family before deciding if he wants to travel to St. Croix for another 70.3 Ironman next weekend.

He said: "A few people have told me there are other races going on next weekend. St. Croix is another 70.3 race and the other option I have is to compete in the Alcatraz Triathlon which is a shorter race. It all depends on how I recover from today.

"On Tuesday I will make a decision. I have always wanted to do the St. Croix Triathlon ¿ it is hot and humid which is what I like. But then again Alcatraz is a legendary race and it is also televised."

About 2,000 athletes are expected to compete at the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon off San Francisco.

It features a 1.5 mile swim through frigid waters from Alcatraz Island to shore, a gruelling 18-mile bike race, and a demanding eight-mile run through the rugged trails of Golden Gate Recreation Area.