This is a preview of the race – click here to read about impressive wins for Sam Laidlow and Lucy Charles-Barclay.

The race for Kona qualification and, indeed, validation will heat up considerably this weekend as a strong field of athletes endeavour to book their world championship places by competing at IRONMAN Lanzarote.

This may not be a Pro Series event, but it does represent a glorious opportunity for those sweating over their Big Island slots to finally qualify and ensure a more controlled build-up to their date with destiny in Hawaii on October 10. 

Two former champions will be looking to validate, with Sam Laidlow (FRA) and Lucy Charles-Barclay (GBR) only needing to finish the race to secure their spots, while another in Patrick Lange (GER) will be racing the rest of the field for one of the six places for Kona up for grabs – three per gender.

It adds a serious sense of anticipation to what promises to be an exciting race on the Spanish island in what is traditionally one of the toughest full-distance races out there, especially if the wind blows.

Here’s all you need to know…

Start time and how to watch

IRONMAN Lanzarote takes place on Saturday, May 23, with the Pro men setting off at 07:00 local time and the Pro women just five minutes later. 

Sadly, with the race not being a part of the Pro Series, it will not be streamed live on the IRONMAN YouTube channel, although a camera will be positioned at the finish line to show the athletes crossing the line.

The best way to keep tabs on the race is to download the IRONMAN Athlete Tracker App, which enables you to follow the events in real time with interactive course maps and live split times.

You can find out more about the tracker app HERE.

Pro women’s field

For last year’s 70.3 World Champion, Charles-Barclay, Lanzarote represents her first full IRONMAN this year, having undergone surgery on a tendon issue which ruled her out of the opening couple of months.

She will be more eager than most to secure her Kona spot, having come so agonisingly close to winning last year when the punishing heat and humidity of Hawaii caused her to bow out on the run just when it seemed she would go on and take the tape.

Her recovery from injury has clearly not been easy, and she posted on her Instagram page this week how there was even a time when she doubted whether race day would ever come around again.

However, she returned for the long-standing Volcano Triathlon at Club La Santa, also on Lanzarote, and promptly won the Olympic-distance event, ahead of the now-retired Anne Haug (GER).

Clearly, this full-distance race will be a step up in her recovery process, but having trained and made a base for herself on the island, she will at least feel very much at home once the race gets underway.

She said this week: “There were definitely moments after surgery where you question how quickly you’ll get back to feeling like yourself again, especially as an endurance athlete, considering the strain I put on my body day in, day out. The recovery process has demanded a lot of patience and trust, but I’m incredibly proud of how my body has responded over the last few months.

“To be back racing an IRONMAN only 16 weeks later, and at Lanzarote of all places, is really special. This race has earned its iconic reputation because it challenges every part of you, physically and mentally, from the first moment to the last. Coming back here feels like the ultimate test of where I’m at.

“The goal is to secure qualification for Kona, but more than anything, I’m excited to be healthy, competitive again and back doing what I love.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Lucy Charles-Barclay (@lucycharles93)

While there are only 13 athletes in the women’s field, LCB will still face stiff competition, with the likes of Nina Derron (SUI), Nikita Paskiewicz (FRA), and the British duo of Steph Clutterbuck and Rebecca Anderbury all extremely aware of what a great opportunity this is.

Clutterbuck, who suffers from the condition postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), has endured a stop-start season since making her 2026 bow at IRONMAN New Zealand and then moving on to the 70.3 in Geelong.

POTS is a chronic autonomic nervous system disorder characterised by a rapid heart rate increase upon standing, causing dizziness, fainting, and fatigue. While no cure exists, management involves lifestyle changes and medications, often associated with increased fluid and salt intake.

She struggled in both New Zealand and Australia – describing the swim section as if she were in a washing machine and needing to stop on the bike due to severe dizziness – and has only now felt confident enough to join a start list again.

Pro men’s field

Former champion Laidlow (FRA) will be taking on his first full-distance race of the season after competing at the Barcelona Marathon and winning the Valencia 70.3.

Back in 2023, he recorded a DNF in this race, and he is now looking forward to righting the wrongs of that day and securing his place in the world championships.

“Two more weeks until hopefully validating my slot for Kona in Lanzarote, 🌋” he said on his Instagram page. “Three years ago, this race humbled me properly. I left the island with a DNF and a lot of respect for the place.

“Looking forward to going back, putting that to bed, and enjoying a big day out on the small island. 👊”

Lange, who has three world championship titles to his name, is also looking forward to racing in what he accepts is one of the toughest races on the circuit. Once again, however, the goal is simple. He was forced to DNF at IRONMAN Texas due to back issues and is hoping for better in Spain.

Other names in the list include Germany’s Julian Becker, France’s Leon Chevalier, and Spain’s Jordi Montraveta Moya.