Back at Kona: Charles-Barclay comeback hits new heights

Just a few short months ago there were no guarantees that Lucy Charles-Barclay would race again this season – but now she’s set her sights on a so-far elusive IRONMAN World Championship victory at Kona.

Her comeback from a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to a hip stress fracture could hardly have been more impressive as she was crowned the World Triathlon Long Distance Champion in Šamorín.

After that she nominated a successful defence of her IRONMAN 70.3 World title at St George as her main target for the rest of 2022.

But she also said “the sky is the limit” and following a podium place at the inaugural PTO US Open in Dallas at the weekend, she confirmed a return to the Big Island is very much on the agenda too.

Discover more...

Best triathlons in the world: Top 10 bucket list races

Triathlon clothing through the ages: from Speedos and tank tops to ultra-aero tri suits

Challenge St. Pölten – PRO tips for taking on Europe’s oldest middle distance triathlon

Jonny Brownlee on the pool swimming drills to do now to get faster in open water

TRI-FIT GEO Women’s Tri Suit Review – How does it fare in our quest for the ultimate long course kit?

‘Let the Kona spam begin’

In what’s a huge boost for both her and the race itself, Lucy revealed the news in a video for Zwift (embedded below), albeit it was mostly filmed before her comeback.

She added on her Instagram account: “Guess what… I won’t be missing out on another shot at a World Title on the Big Island!”

And then on Wednesday her stories feed featured images from Kona, tagged: “We are back – let the Kona spam begin!”

There’s no doubt she has unfinished business at the IRONMAN World Championship, having been runner-up three times there between 2017 and 2019, the last time the event was held at its spiritual home.

In the video she adds: “There’s obviously one big thing looming over me, which is trying to win the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona.

“At the beginning of this year when I got told that I had this injury, I actually ruled Kona out.

“Being on the start line this year is a huge win in itself. And I know I will go into the race and give it everything I’ve got. And if it’s not enough to win, it’s not enough.

“And I have to remember the journey that I’ve been on this year.”

As part of our extensive Kona build-up, we’ll be chatting to Dan Lorang at the start of next week, the coach of both Lucy and Anne Haug, who took the title in Hawaii in 2019.