A MAUCHLINE pensioner won came first place in a major marathon while battling ‘extremely tough’ weather conditions.

Isabel Fraser was on holiday in New Zealand with family when she took on the Queenstown International Marathon which welcomed 12,000 competitors and 3,000 running runners from around the world.

She also took on the race while facing poor weather conditions including torrential rain, winds and some dry condition through the mid part of the race.

But the inspiring mum, who was also Mauchline’s first female fire fighter, said the best part of the day was helping her daughter complete her first marathon.

The fitness fanatic completed it in just four hours 25 minutes and one second making her the winner of the ladies section 60 - 69 for her age group.

The determined mum took first place by aconsiderable margin with second place coming in 15 minutes behind her.

She claimed the well deserved victory and was presented with a $300 Asics voucher along with her runners medal and prize pack.

Isabell said: “I will never forget running with my daughter in her first Marathon, I have run many races in the last 40 years but at 66 and still being able to help Barbara achieve her first was just memorable.

“I go to New Zealand every year for a holiday to my family who emigrated six years ago and when they mentioned the marathon my first reaction was no as I just enjoy running now to keep me fit and helps me mentally anyway as Martin has said I couldn’t believe I had won my age group and got a voucher for 300 dollars."