Lizzy Hawker celebrates her 2010 women's victory in the Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc. Photo: Damiano Levati/The North Face

British ultrarunner Lizzy Hawker repeated her victory in one of Europe’s toughest races.

The British athlete was first woman home in the gruelling Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc shortly in the early hours of Sunday, repeating last year’s win and posting her fourth victory in the event.

The achievement marks a new woman’s record for the number of victories. She crossed the line in Chamonix 25 hours after starting the event, which crosses three countries – France, Italy and Switzerland – on its 170km (106-mile) route, with 9,700m (31,824 ft) of ascent.

Spaniard Kilian Jornet won the men’s race in 20hrs 36mins, narrowly beating Iker Carrera, with Sébastien Chaigneau, third. Hawker runs as part of The North Face team, with the event also sponsored by the gear company.

The North Face also produced an aerial video of the event.

Lizzy Hawker, described by an impressed Chaigneau as ‘a machine’ conquered hip problems, which at one stage looked like putting her out of the race, to take the title in a race the start of which was delayed because of Alpine storms.

This year’s event was the ninth running of the race.