CRICKLADE triathlete Emma-Kate Lidbury earned a podium finish in Texas last week.

She finished third in the Ironman 70.3 Texas event held on Galveston Island, just off the Gulf Coast of Texas.

Lidbury lined up as one of the favourites having won the event in 2013 and been runner-up last year.

She saw of a highly competitive field that included a number of the sports strongest swimmers.

Lidbury completed the 70.3 mile course in just over four and a quarter hours, finishing almost a minute ahead of American Kelly Williamson in fourth.

She also posted the fastest bike split for the race.

Her podium finished came off the back of a fourth place in Ironman 70.3 Monterrey, highlighting her ability to perform consistently alongside some of the best triathletes in the world.

Lidbury wrote on her website that the win had reignited her love for the sport.

“It had stopped being fun, the things I loved about it were overshadowed, the fire that had always fuelled me was dampened, if there at all,” said Lidbury.

“I wondered if it might ever come back.

“Last weekend at 70.3 Texas, I can tell you the good times came rolling back.

“I loved every aspect of racing again.”