Search
shop

British triathlon superstar Lucy Charles-Barclay is OUT of the 2024 IRONMAN World Championship as injury ruins title defence

Reigning IRONMAN World Champion Lucy Charles-Barclay will NOT be on the start line in Nice tomorrow after an injury at the 11th hour puts her out of the race.
Content Director
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Defending IRONMAN World Champion Lucy Charles-Barclay was one of the hot favourites for victory again in the 2024 showpiece in Nice on the Cote d’Azur on Sunday (September 22). But sadly, the dream is over for the British superstar.

A season that has been spent carefully managing an Achilles injury she picked up while running her way to victory at Kona in 2023 has taken another turn with discomfort she experienced in her leg this week now diagnosed as a grade 1c muscle strain.

The announcement of LCB’s absence from the Nice start line came on Saturday, less than 24hrs before the gun is due to go on the 2024 women’s IRONMAN World Championship (you can watch the race live here).

Advertisement

Heavy heart

Making the announcement on her Instagram page, she revealed: “It’s with a heavy heart that I share I won’t be able to race in the Ironman World Championships this Sunday.”

“I felt some pain in my leg yesterday morning. After consulting with my medical team and some scans we’ve confirmed that the discomfort in my leg is due to a grade 1c muscle strain.”

It’s not the first time that injury has led to disappointment for Charles-Barclay this season, after ongoing issues from that Kona 2023 injury saw her DNF at her home race in July – London T100. Speaking to Bob Babbitt earlier this week, she described the injury as “a bit of a jigsaw puzzle and if I get it wrong it’s really unhappy, if I get it right then it’s great.”

Thinking ahead

While the muscle strain is currently described as a ‘relatively minor issue’, Charles-Barclay highlights that racing on it could turn it into a far bigger problem, explaining: “…after what I went through last year, I don’t want to risk facing months of rehabilitation again.”

Lucy Charles Barclay wins 2023 IRONMAN World Championship photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
That victory in Kona last year came at a price for Charles-Barclay as she ran through an injury to take the crown. [Photo credit: Getty Images for IRONMAN]
Advertisement

How LCB’s DNS could impact the race dynamics

With Lucy absent from the start line, that means whatever happens out on the race course on Sunday we will be crowning a new IRONMAN World Champion.

Germany’s Anne Haug, who won in Kona in 2019, will now be many people’s top pick to take the crown. But she’ll have stiff competition from the likes of Laura Philipp and Kat Matthews to contend with. Our John Levison has tipped Matthews as his pick for the win – so don’t rule out a British champion quite yet.

And without Lucy to tear the field apart on the swim, we could see Philipp, Matthews and Haug locked in a battle out on the bike course far sooner into the race than we might have anticipated. LCB’s absence could certainly shake up the race dynamics, leaving the door open for some of the uber cyclists in the field such as Els Visser to be right up there in contention.

It’s certainly not a race you’ll want to miss. Stock up on the popcorn and find out how to tune in live.

Jenny Lucas-Hill
Written by
Jenny Lucas-Hill
Jenny Lucas-Hill is Content Director at TRI247. A five-time Ironman finisher, she's also a qualified personal trainer and sports massage therapist.
Discover more
TRI247 podcast
What is it really like to be a professional triathlete? NEW TRI247 x Challenge Family podcast takes you beyond the start lines this race season
Challenge St. Pölten 2024 - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
Expert swim coach on the three most common swim mistakes age group triathletes make (and how to fix them!)
French Riviera T100 bike course Esterel
Let’s race… French Riviera T100
TRI-FIT VANGUARD tri suit review
The entry-level tri suit with a serious amount of performance for the price point – TRI-FIT VANGUARD 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
latest News
Oliver Conway World Triathlon Cuo win Saidia 2025
Breakthrough World Cup win – and Brownlee Racing spot – in memorable week for British youngster
Lionel Sanders wins 70.3 St George 2025 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
Triathlon superstar Lionel Sanders moving again but taking it step by step in injury battle
Magnus Ditlev - T100 San Francisco 2024 run
“I lost it mentally” – Magnus Ditlev reveals why he was shown red card at IRONMAN Frankfurt
Marjolaine Pierre World Long Distance Triathlon win 2025
World Triathlon Long-Distance Championships 2025 results: Pierre and Benito add second wins
Kristian Blummenfelt wins IRONMAN Frankfurt 2025
IRONMAN Frankfurt 2025 results: Blummenfelt defends title on drama-packed day
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...