SIXTY-six year-old June Butlin proved age is just a number by conquering one of Britain's toughest sports events today.

Mother-of-three June, from South Wraxall, set a veterans' course record running the 13km Spartan Super obstacle course race at Aston Down Airfield, near Minchinhampton in Gloucestershire, in three hours six minutes.

Super-fit June, who stands just 4ft 10ins tall, overtook musclebound men with six-packs as she sprinted up the steep-hilled course, known locally as Death Valley.

In her 25-obstacle race, June hurled a spear 25 feet at a 'body' straw bale, climbed a 20-foot rope, and on a pulley hoisted 28 feet in the air a sandbag weighing 40 kilos - even though she only weighs 47 kilos herself.

Then she plunged into a mud pit, hauled a back-breaking 20-kilo Atlas stone 20 metres, raced up 45-degree gradients in the Cotswolds, and leapt blazing logs at Spartan's signature finale obstacle, the fire jump.

Three times the age of most Spartan racers, June, who collected hugs from admirers along with her race medal, said: "I've never done a Spartan race before. There aren't many races for my age group so I just did it."

She added: "I just thought, 'I'm fit, I'll do this.' I'm just an ordinary person but I've done a lot of weight training, running, playing squash and exercise across the board. At the end, I didn't feel drained.

"I have always been fit but when I got older I just wanted to know if I could keep my fitness, build muscle, and get more agile. And yes I could. My family think I'm doing OK. They are used to me.

"My advice to other people is, 'If you want to get fit and healthy then just keep working at it. Build up on what you do, don't do the same thing, keep pushing yourself forward.

"It was great, a fantastic experience. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Now I'd like to do another one. It'll be easier second time."

Spartan Phil, the Greek warrior in charge of the event, (pictured in helmet) said: "I was impressed to meet June.

“It was a pleasure - until we posed for pictures together and I noticed her biceps were bigger than mine. She's an inspiration to all generations of Spartans."

Sam Lansdale, General Manager of Spartan Race UK & Ireland, praised June for her ‘Spartan spirit’.

"We believe June is one of the oldest and fittest British racers to ever tackle this event, and we admire her true Spartan spirit. We welcome competitors of all ages and generations."

Competitors from 27 countries took part in the race, which tours the UK and will host events in Market Harborough (July 14/15), Perth (September 15/16) and Windsor (October 6/7).