A THEATRE nurse from Innerleithen has beat fire, mud and dozens of other obstacles to win the arduous Total Warrior race at the weekend.

And 37-year-old Kathleen Henderson did it on the back of a week of gruelling night-shifts at the Royal Infirmary in Edinburgh.

Around 3000 competitors lined up for the epic 12 kilometre cross-country course on the Balgone Estate near North Berwick.

As well as fire and mud, competitors had to overcome ice walls, barbed wire crawls, monkey bars and water crossings.

Following the two days of competition it was Kathleen who was presented with the trophy for Fastest Lady.

Kathleen told us: "I work in the Transplant Theatre Unit and it is really hard work. After a week of night-shifts I felt I was too tired to compete, but I went along any way to watch on the Saturday.

"After watching I couldn't help myself from competing on the Sunday.

"It was really tough but that's what I enjoy about these races."

Under the watchful eye of race director David Gaffney, whose family also come from Innerleithen, and her coach Kieron Ross, Kathleen completed the course in exactly 01.04 hours.

Sunday's victory is the perfect boost for Kathleen who is hoping to retain her Mighty Deerstalker crown on home soil next spring.

She added: "I have one or two other races on the horizon but the big one for me will be the Deerstalker.

"I've won it before and I want to win it again."

Kathleen trains each week with the Edinburgh-based Race Fitness club.

Around 40 athletes take part in the sessions with a core of around a dozen competing regularly at the country's toughest obstacle races.

Head coach Kieron told us: "Kathleen was feeling tired after a week of nightshift and she was nervous before the race so a few words of encouragement were needed to get her back in the zone.

"Sure enough as soon as the gun went off her competitive spirit kicked in and she battled hard to win in a great time.

"Obstacle racing continues to grow in popularity because it’s both a real physical challenge and great fun.

"You need a degree of full body fitness but mental determination to keep going is far more important."

Race director David has confirmed the Total Warrior race will be back next year and Kathleen will be there to defend her title.