Search
shop

British triathlon superstar Lucy Charles-Barclay returns to where it all began at IRONMAN Lanzarote

LCB returns to full-distance triathlon in the Canary Islands this weekend
Last updated -
STRENGTH. ENDURANCE. PERFORMANCE.

The Canary Islands are one of the prominent training grounds for the world’s finest triathletes, boasting clear blue oceans, undulating mountains roads and an all-year round warm climate.

They also host some of the most iconic swim, bike, run races on the planet, and back in May 2016, British triathlon legend Lucy Charles-Barclay debuted over the full distance, securing a third-place finish at IRONMAN Lanzarote.

Since then, she has pretty much achieved all the highest accolades available in endurance triathlon: a nine-time middle-distance race victor – including the 2021 IRONMAN 70.3 Championship and three Challenge ‘The Championship’ wins, as well as claiming six full-distance crowns – the highlights being the 2023 IRONMAN World Championship in Hawaii and a Challenge Roth success in 2019.

Advertisement

LCB back where it began

The 31-year-old returns to the venue of her debut podium where she finished behind Denmark’s Tine Holst and Belgium’s Alexandra Tondeur – she had led that race after the swim by almost 10 minutes, but fell away on the bike and run to finish in a time of 10:10:13.

Lucy Charles-Barclay wins IRONMAN France 2024
Lucy Charles-Barclay returns to IRONMAN Lanzarote: scene of her professional debut [Photo by Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images]

A year later, competing in here second Ironman-distance event, Charles-Barclay recorded another first, her maiden 140.6-mile victory in a time of 9:35:39. Once again she dominated on the swim, taking a seven-minute lead into the bike.

She further extended her advantage by recording the fastest bike split before holding off the field with a strong marathon performance. She led compatriots Corrine Abraham and Lucy Gossage across the finish line. That year she went on to finish second at the IRONMAN World Championship at Kona – her first of four runner-up placings on the Big Island.

Ahead of the race, Lucy posted on Instagram: “My pro career kicked off on this island, so IRONMAN Lanzarote will always have a very special place in my heart”

“Definitely one of the most epic and challenging courses you will find on the IRONMAN circuit. I am so buzzing to get out there and see what I can do this weekend.”

IRONMAN Lanzarote challengers

LCB will be challenged by Denmark’s Maja Stage Nielsen who recorded a career best full-distance finish with second at IRONMAN Hamburg last season. She has already raced twice in 2025, finishing fifth at IRONMAN South Africa and sixth at IRONMAN 70.3 Jesolo.

LCB meanwhile finished third at Singapore T100 in April despite being under the weather, and has won her last two full-distance races: the 2023 World Championship and IRONMAN Nice in June 2024.

Anne Haug - IRONMAN 70.3 Lanzarote 2023 - bike
IRONMAN Lanzarote is one of the toughest full-distance race on the planet [Photo Credit: IRONMAN]
Stuart Dick
Written by
Stuart Dick
Stuart is a graduate of the University of Sunderland with a masters' degree in Sports Journalism. He spends a lot of his time running and cycling around West Yorkshire, England.
Discover more
Best triathlon swim courses – our top 10 triathlons for an epic start to race day
SunGod FORTY2s running sunglasses review
First look at the NEW SunGod FORTY2s running sunglasses – TRI247 Review
Gustav Iden aero position body rocket
How to get better at holding your time trial position – Expert tips from former PRO time trial cyclist Alex Dowsett
triathlon swimming open water
“Triathletes shouldn’t kick during the swim” and other triathlon swimming myths- BUSTED by an expert swim coach
Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT 3 navigation and colour display
Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT 3 GPS bike computer review
latest News
World Triathlon Cup Karlovy Vary 2023 Gwen Jorgensen finish
Olympic triathlon champion Gwen Jorgensen determined to ‘fight through the heartbreak’ after DNF agony
VinFast IRONMAN World Championship 2023 - Lucy Charles-Barclay bike aero
IRONMAN 70.3 Eagleman 2025: Date, start time and how to watch LCB, Long and co
Taylor Knibb congratulates Julie Derron at T100 San Francisco 2025
World Champ Taylor Knibb makes major diet change in bid to solve GI issues
Solveig Løvseth bike IRONMAN Hamburg 2025
Has there have been a better IRONMAN debut than Solveig Lovseth’s bow in Hamburg?
Holly Lawrence T100 San Francisco run 2025
‘I felt like a total newbie again’ – new mum Holly Lawrence on fantastic T100 comeback
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

Share to...