Wendy Simms of Nanaimo, who has been competing in the Test of Metal off and on since 2004, grabbed her second career women's division win at the race on Saturday (June 16).
In the face of wet and muddy trails, Simms completed the course in three hours, 17 minutes, 19 seconds, beating out second-place Kate Aardal of Calgary by more than two minutes. Simms won the Test in 2008, placed second in 2004, third in 2005 and fourth in 2010.
Simms said she's seen it all in the race but enjoyed this year's edition.
"It was great today," she said. "I've raced this course when it's sunny and rainy but I loved it today."
Simms also managed to best Brackendale's Brandi Heisterman, who had led for most of the race and ended up placing third.
"She started out really strong but I caught her on Nine Mile Hill," Simms said. "Then I just pushed it really hard on the singletrack right after because I thought she was right on my back and probably knows the trails so well."
Heisterman, who placed second at last year's race, said she simply ran out of gas.
"I pushed it from the start but then I popped on Nine Mile Hill," she said. "I had a little bit of a resurrection on the Powerhouse Plunge and I managed to hang on to finish third. The crowd was amazing today but this was by far the most disgusting Test I've ever done."
Heisterman finished at 3:09:56, the fastest local female time. Garibaldi Highlands resident Rua Read placed eighth in the Elite Women's category, with Linda Robichaud finishing in 12th.
Team Squamish's Mikayla Martin won the women's 14 to 19 age group for the second straight year with a time of 4:03:17, with Squamish's Sally Enns placing third in the group.
Other local podium finishers included: Regan Kohlhardt (first in 20 to 29 age group, Heather Adamson (third in the 45 to 49 group) and Sue Dare (first in 50 to 54 division).
For complete results from the race, visit www.webscorer.com.
