Conrad Stoltz made history by winning a fourth XTERRA World Championships, while Sam Gardner was the top British finisher in Hawaii.

“This feels the best by far,” said Stoltz, who also crowned champion in 2001, 2002 and 2007. “2007 was rewarding because I was able to come back from injuries. This year, there was a lot of emotional pressure.”

Stoltz dedicated the win to his father, who is battling cancer. The South African romped home in two hours, 31 minutes and seven seconds, more than five minutes ahead of France’s Franky Batelier – the second-largest winning margin in XTERRA worlds history.

Austria’s Michael Weiss completed the podium while Gardner clocked two hours, 48 minutes and six seconds after a 1.5km swim, 32km mountain bike ride and 12km trail run to finish 17th.

BikeMagic regular Ian Leitch was the second Brit home in 22nd after two hours, 50 minutes and 42 seconds on the course.

Meanwhile, American Shonny Vanlandingham finally added the world title to her name after five consecutive years of top 10 finishes.

The 41-year-old clocked two hours, 58 minutes and 20 seconds, with Brit Julie Dibens one minute, 13 seconds back in second and France’s Marion Lorblanchet more than seven minutes adrift.