Clocking 9 hours 6min 23sec for the gruelling 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile cycle and 26.2 mile run, the 31-year-old Suffolk triathlete beat her time from 2007 by two minutes and finished 15 minutes ahead of second placed Yvonne Van Vlerken from the Netherlands .

Having exited the Pacific Ocean in 11th position, Wellington rode through the leaders by the 30 mile mark and continued to push a big gear, steadily increasing her advantage.

However a puncture left her stranded at the side of the road with a malfunctioning CO2 inflation canister and no service car for support.

Rebekah Keat of Australia came to the rescue with a spare canister of air, and Wellington quickly regained the lead.

She said: "That was the hardest thing I've ever done.

"It didn't go exactly to plan.

"I had a good swim and felt strong in the first phases of the bike."

Wellington thanked Keat.

The Briton said: "She's a legend."

A course record time of 2:57:44 in the marathon provided a comfortable margin of victory as she cruised up the famous Alii Drive to the finish to the sound of EMF’s "You’re Unbelievable".

This latest performance continues Wellington ’s remarkable record of never having been beaten over the Ironman distance since turning professional in 2007.

The men’s race was won by Australia ’s Craig Alexander, who ran a 2:45 marathon en route to his first Ironman world title.

ITU Duathlon World Champion, Paul Amey, was top Briton in 17th with Stephen Bayliss 19th.

Bayliss’ fiancée, Bella Comerford, finished seventh in the women’s race to round off an exceptional year which has included three Ironman wins.