EMMA-Kate Lidbury landed her third Ironman 70.3 victory of the season as she cruised home in Las Vegas.

Lidbury trailed after the swim and bike stage, but won the event by more than six minutes, after a particularly strong run.

The Oxford-based athlete was only four seconds behind Svetlana Blazevic after the swim stage, before race favourite Heather Jackson took control on the 56km bike leg.

Jackson hit the 13.1 mile run holding a lead of 1 min 04 secs over Lidbury, but the former Oxford Mail reporter produced a powerful display to haul back the leader, before cruising in front.

Lidbury had taken command of the race by the half-way stage, establishing a lead of more than two minutes.

And she cruised on in the second half of the run, recording the fastest women’s split of the day to take the title.

It was Lidbury’s third triumph after previous wins in Mallorca and the United Kingdom.

She said: “I’m delighted to win my third title of the season. It really is turning into a dream season.

“I’ll be in the US until November and will racing again at 70.3 Miami at the end of October.

“I’m now on holiday for a few days before heading over to Kona to watch the Ironman World Championships.”