The 14-year-old crossed the finish line in a time of 18:43, becoming the first female runner to break the 20-minute barrier in the race’s history.

Butler said she knew she was running a fast race, but did not know it was a record time in her first attempt at the event.

“I knew I did a really good time, but I only found out by mum telling me today that I broke the record,” Butler said.

“I didn’t exactly know what to expect because I hadn’t ran at the Burnie Ten before and I just guess it also matters who turns up to race you.”

Butler crossed the line 12 seconds ahead of Burnie 14-year-old Charli Kay, with Kay’s time becoming the second fastest female 5km time at the event.

The female winner from Launceston said she has raced against Kay many times and there was a little rivalry.

“We have raced against each other in cross-country and little athletics a lot.

“She beats me some of the times and then I also beat her, it just depends on the event.

“In this race, she was sitting just behind me all of the way and we went over a hill just before the big one and I got a few metres on her there.

“When I got to the bottom of the hill, I heard mum calling and she said I had a couple metres, I just went and went as fast as I could.”

The Burnie 5km win was not Butler’s fastest time over the distance, as she won the Launceston Ten 5km race in a time of 18:21.

Butler said she would turn her focus to track for the summer season.