Search
shop

Huge injury update as Canadian triathlon superstar Lionel Sanders confirms brutal diagnosis

Sanders has suffered a sacral stress fracture and will face a spell on the sidelines
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

For Canadian superstar Lionel Sanders, the 2025 season was all going according to plan for the first half of it.

Victories at IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside and IRONMAN 70.3 St George took his middle-distance winning streak to four races following a 2024 win at Oceanside in addition to a IRONMAN 70.3 Mont Tremblant.

‘No Limits’ had also taken on somewhat of a new mantra this season as well, listening to his body rather than delving deep into the science data when it comes to his training.

However, his campaign has come to an abrupt halt due to a niggling injury that he was unable to clear – and now he has a diagnosis that could hamper the remainder of his season.

Advertisement

“Healing is underway”

After numerous scans, the 37-year-old Canadian took to social media to update the world on his current condition, admitting the last six weeks have been tough.

Lionel Sanders at the press conference ahead of 70.3 World Championship 2023
Lionel Sanders finally knows what his injury issue is [Photo credit: Ville Kashkivirta / IRONMAN]

“I started feeling sharp pain deep in my glute and got an MRI — which came back clean. A CT scan two weeks later also showed nothing. But the pain never really went away, and deep down, I knew something wasn’t right.

“I kept training cautiously, hoping it would resolve, but this week I finally got clarity: a new MRI shows a clear sacral stress fracture.”

What’s next?

A sacral stress fracture is a hairline crack in the sacrum – a bone at the base of the spine – that is usually caused by repetitive stress rather than a single injury.

Depending on the severity of the fracture, Sanders could be on the sideline for six-to-12 weeks, which could potentially wipe out his plans until October.

His big target this season has been the IRONMAN World Championship in Nice on 14th September.

“If I could go back, I’d get another MRI around week two,” he added. It may have caught the inflammation and validated what my gut was telling me. Hindsight is 20/20. Now I’m looking at more time away from running – but I’m on the right path, and healing is underway.”

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
Caroline Pohle Lena Meissner ironman 703 jonkoping sprint 2025
PremiumHow to pace a triathlon to leave it all out there WITHOUT blowing up
FORM Smart Swim 2 PRO lens close up
FORM Smart Swim Pro 2 Goggles review: can these high tech goggles actually help you to train smarter and swim faster?
Premium‘The difference from triathlon is so big – there’s no comparison’: Maya Kingma on life in the Women’s WorldTour peloton
Laura Siddall Challenge Roth 2025 finish line
PremiumLaura Siddall: 10 things I’ve learned from my professional triathlon career
TRIFIT VORTEX tri suit
The small but mighty tri brand you NEED to know about: Why TRI-FIT are on a mission to disrupt the triathlon apparel scene
latest News
Hayden Wilde happy T100 Singapore 2025
Hayden Wilde – is he BACK for T100 London after injury nightmare?
Sam Laidlow run Roundhay Park IRONMAN Leeds 2025
‘I’m ready for it’ – Sam Laidlow on why triathlon is hitting new heights in 2025 ahead of IRONMAN World Champs
Alistair Brownlee Olympics Triathlon London 2012 Podium Gold
Olympic icon Alistair Brownlee reveals most British thing ever when it comes to fuelling recovery
Lionel Sanders IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside 2025 celebration finish line
Lionel Sanders provides BIG update on triathlon comeback
Gwen Jorgensen World Triathlon Cup Tongyeong 2023 run
Olympic triathlon champion Gwen Jorgensen issues last call for scholarship fund for young athletes
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

TRI247-LOGO_Primary-Black_RGB-1

CHOOSE YOUR MEMBERSHIP TO BECOME PART OF SOMETHING EPIC

We’re on a mission to elevate the world of endurance sport, becoming your go-to resource for expert training tips and inspiration, unbiased reporting and creating a platform for grassroots voices. But we can’t do it without you on board! Choose a TRI247+ membership option below and become part of something epic.

£7.95/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

100+ new articles/month

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

£47.95/year
£95.40/year

50% Discount

100+ new articles/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

Share to...