Search
shop

Jess Learmonth adds spice to IRONMAN 70.3 Lanzarote mix

Jess will face a stacked women's field this coming Saturday
News Director
Last updated -
STRENGTH. ENDURANCE. PERFORMANCE.

There are plenty of reasons to be interested in IRONMAN 70.3 Lanzarote next Saturday, and the presence of Jess Learmonth adds another to the mix.

Learmonth of course will again be a mainstay of the short-course scene in 2022, following on from her Olympic Mixed Relay gold in Tokyo and a stellar Super League Triathlon season in 2021.

Now though the Leeds star will turn her hand to middle-distance racing when she takes part in what should be a highly competitive race this coming weekend.

Jess will take part on a road bike (with aero), so no TT – that however did not stop a certain Taylor Knibb tearing it up when she hit middle distances last summer. It will be fascinating to see how Learmonth fares against what could be a terrific field.

Advertisement

Haug heads stellar field

With less than two months now to the delayed 2021 IRONMAN Championship in St George (Saturday May 7), the opportunities for prep races mean deep fields at this early stage of the year. And Lanzarote is shaping up to follow that trend.

The start list is headed by the (still) reigning IRONMAN World Champion Anne Haug, who is readying for the defence of a title she won in Kona in 2019. Britain’s Kat Matthews meanwhile will also take in the race to sharpen up for St George.

Anne Haug wins Challenge Roth 2021
Anne Haug will start her 2022 campaign at 70.3 Lanzarote.

Another British star on the start list is Lucy Buckingham (nee Hall), who enjoyed a terrific second half of 2021, culminating in a fine second behind Jackie Hering at CLASH Daytona.

We could have another athlete from that 2021 Daytona podium on Saturday in the shape of France’s Marjolaine Pierre, who produced a blistering run to claim third.

McNamee set for 2022 debut

There is plenty of interest in the men’s race too, with Britain’s David McNamee – third in Kona in both 2017 and 2018 – set for his seasonal debut ahead of St George.

Also in the field are two more intriguing St George qualifiers in the shape of New Zealand’s Kyle Smith and the rapidly-improving Frenchman Leon Chevalier.

British pair James Teagle and Eliot Smales are also on the start list, along with France’s Clement Mignon and Belgium’s Bart Aernouts.

Jonathan Turner
Written by
Jonathan Turner
Jonathan Turner is News Director for both TRI247 and RUN247, and is accustomed to big-name interviews, breaking news stories and providing unrivalled coverage for endurance sports.  
Discover more
Dave Ellis / Luke Pollard - World Para Triathlon Championships Pontevedra 2023
Golden opportunity – British Triathlon launches search for LA2028 paratriathlon guides
IRONMAN Lanzarote 2024 - Anne Haug on run course
Best marathon shoes for Ironman – the ‘legal’ super shoes you CAN wear to level up your run split
Challenge Sanremo 2024 - Photo: Jose Luis Hourcade
How to fuel your triathlon training: Expert nutritionist tips to help you nail every session
swim start IRONMAN World Championship Kona 2024 photo credit Tony Svensson IRONMAN
Level up your Ironman swim split – must-read tips from an expert swim coach
Ironman gear guide – everything you need to get to the finish line of a full distance triathlon
latest News
Taylor Knibb 2024 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship Taupo New Zealand
US triathlon phenom Taylor Knibb hails great rival Kat Matthews for record-breaking IRONMAN Texas win
Richard Varga Jonny Brownlee Arzachena
Triathlon legend Jonny Brownlee reveals ‘Last Dance’ motivation behind latest challenge
IRONMAN Kona 2022 Age Group Results
How will “re-imagined” IRONMAN World Championship at Kona actually look for Age Groupers?
Lucy Charles-Barclay IRONMAN World Championship Kona 2023 Finish
IRONMAN World Championship goes ALL IN on Kona again with men and women to race on same day from 2026
Laura Philipp and Kat Matthews on the run at the 2024 IRONMAN World Championship
Nice gets consolation prize of 70.3 Worlds after IRONMAN World Championships return to Kona
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...