Britain's Wellington retains her Ironman Australia title

GREAT Britain's Chrissie Wellington isn't just an ironwoman - she's an ironman as well.

DOMINANT: Chrissie Wellington continues to dominate women's ironman triathlon - posting times that are threatening the men (Getty Images)

The 32-year old triathlete - who only started competing professionally three years ago - defended her Ironman Australia title in Port Macquarie - crossing the line in eight hours, 57 minutes and ten seconds.

The two-time world champion over the ironman distance - 2.4-mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2-mile or marathon run - was nearly 24 minutes ahead of her nearest rival, Australia's Rebekah Keat.

And her impressive time meant Australian Mitch Anderson, the tenth professional male across the line, finished only just ahead of her in 8:56.21. Australia's Patrick Vernay won the men's race.

"I am so immensely proud of my race, I really smashed it," said Wellington.

"It is such a vindication of all the hard work and my desire and passion I have for this sport.

The weather was pretty extreme but you deal with it. We're Ironman athletes. You deal with what you're given."