Wellington has dominated long-course triathlon since turning pro in 2007

Norfolk's Chrissie Wellington returned from injury to continue her long-distance triathlon dominance with a defence of her Kansas 70.3 title.

Wellington finished 16 minutes ahead of her nearest rival in Sunday's half-distance Ironman event.

The 33-year-old had not competed since winning her third consecutive world title in Hawaii in October 2009.

After suffering a fall while bicycle training in January she broke bones in her arm, wrist and hand.

"It was definitely a very challenging course," Wellington told BBC Radio Norfolk, "incredibly hilly on the bike and the run, but I really enjoyed it.

"To get the win in front of such an amazing crowd was really quite phenomenal.

"Perhaps my swim time showed some race rustiness, but I was just eager to get back into the throws of competition."

It was the third running of the Kansas 70.3 Ironman event, which sees competitors cover 1.2 miles on the swim, followed by 56 miles of cycling, before rounding off with a 13.1 mile run.

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