The 31-year-old finished the in 32:35, 18 seconds outside the race record and 14 seconds from her road PB.

Her time has only been bettered by record holder Lisa Jane Weightman (32:17) in 2012.

After the race, Hills said she applied some unusual race tactics.

“Today I didn’t run the 10km a normal way," she said.

"I ran a hard 5km, stopped for a second and then just ran home. Spectators at the 5km probably thought it was a bit strange when I stopped my watch and pulled off to the side for a second.

“My goal was to get on the podium today.

“Once I got within a kilometre to go I thought ‘I’ve got this’,” Hills said.

Marnie Ponton placed second in 33:12 with Caitlin Adams third in 33:27.