Legendary triathlete Chrissie Wellington retires from Ironman undefeated

The undefeated 35-year-old, from Norfolk, feels she can now call time on her career because the hard-fought 2011 World Ironman Championship was her “perfect race.”

“I have achieved more than I could have ever imagined,” Wellington said. She expects to keep links with sport and triathlon in the future.

She said: “It was my perfect race and it completed me.

“My passion for the sport hasn’t waned, but my passion for new experiences and new challenges is what is now burning the most brightly.

“Hence, I have got to the point where I know that it is right for me to retire from professional Ironman distance racing.”

She added: “Needless to say this decision has not come easy, but deep in my heart I know it is the right thing for me to do.”

Wellington was unbeaten in 13 Ironman races and has set the four fastest times for the race, setting the female world record of eight hours 18 minutes and 13 seconds in Germany in July 2011.

She won the 2007 world title, which is always held in Hawaii, less than one year after turning professional.

She followed it with victories in 2008 and 2009, lowering the 17-year-old course record to 8:54:02 in her third victory.