After 18 months out of any racing, and six years after competing at the elite level of races that go towards world ranking points, the Border triathlete had almost two minutes to spare on her nearest rival in her 40-44 age group at the Port Macquarie 70.3 last weekend.

The win also gave her the national title in that division, an automatic qualifier for the world titles and 14th overall in a field that included eight professionals.

Gollan-Foard was 13th out of the water in the 1.9-kilometre swim but powered to the front on the 90-kilometre cycle leg.

At one stage in Sunday’s half ironman, the Albury-based personal trainer held a six-minute advantage in the final 21.1 kilometre run.

“I knew they were closing but I just couldn’t afford to push it all the way,” she said.

“The week before I used the duathlon at Allans Flat just to remind myself about racing but came out of that with really sore legs and I was conscious of that and the likelihood of cramping.

“In the end I just conserved until the last kilometre before really pushing to the finish line.”

Gollan-Foard, 44, had 1 minute: 39 seconds to spare on second place.

“I went up there with very low expectations, I didn’t know the girls, didn’t know where I was at,” she said.

“I set goals for each leg and knew I was fit, I just didn’t know whether that would be good enough to win.

“It is unbelievable really, my son wasn’t impressed with me — I told him not to expect too much.”

Gollan-Foard has had to knock back a chance to compete in next year’s world titles in Austria.

“We have a month-long holiday just before the event and I just couldn’t put in the training required — I had to make a decision then and it was ‘thanks but no thanks’,” she said.