World record-holder Wellington is unbeaten over the Ironman distance

Norfolk's Chrissie Wellington won her third successive World Ironman Championship title in Kona, Hawaii, and set a new course record in the process.

Her time of eight hours, 54.02 minutes broke the 17-year record previously held by Paula Newby-Fraser.

"I never thought I'd come here and break Paula's record. She's a legend, I feel guilty to have taken it away," said the 32-year-old.

"It's the hardest Ironman I've ever done, I had to dig really deep."

Wellington has never been beaten in an Ironman triathlon, which includes a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike ride and a 26.2 mile marathon.

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"I'm so proud of what I achieved here today, and I want to say thank you so much to my friends and family for coming all this way to support me," she added.

As well as picking up the $110,000 prize, Wellington becomes only the third woman in the event's 31-year history to claim three successive wins.

She has previously expressed interest in competing in the Olympic triathlon at London 2012.

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