Search
shop

Lucy Charles-Barclay To Race Super League Triathlon

From over eight hours of racing to 15 minutes. Lucy Charles-Barclay adds further interest to the upcoming SLT Arena Games events in London and Rotterdam
Chief Correspondent
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

She’s no stranger to Zwift – and we know she can swim – so while Lucy Charles-Barclay is best known for her middle and long-distance exploits, it will be more than interesting to see how she performs over the very short distances of the SLT Arena Games Powered by Zwift.

Never there to simply make up the numbers and gain some experience, I suspect Lucy might well perform very well. A great addition to the two-race series, the first of which takes place at the Aquatics Centre on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on March 27th, pretty much a home venue for her.

Here’s the full news.


LUCY CHARLES-BARCLAY TO MAKE SHORT COURSE DEBUT AT SLT ARENA GAMES POWERED BY ZWIFT

Lucy Charles-Barclay is set to make a sensational debut in short course triathlon by racing the SLT Arena Games Powered by Zwift.

The British star, who has taken the long course triathlon world by storm with three second place finishes at the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona, is set to drop down in distance for Super League’s events in London on March 27 and Rotterdam on April 18.

Her coach and husband, Reece Charles-Barclay, will also be competing.

Triathlon Trust Golden Thread Ball

Lucy’s intriguing decision is certain to drive speculation over a potential move to short course racing and a tilt at the Olympics in 2024.

Her appearance at the Aquatics Centre on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park later this month sets up an intriguing showdown between Britain’s best long course athlete and Britain’s best short course athlete in the shape of ITU World Champion Georgia Taylor-Brown.

Lucy Charles-Barclay / IRONMAN World Championship 2019 / Kona 2019
Photo by Sean M. Haffey / Getty Images for IRONMAN

Lucy said:“I have decided to race the SLT Arena Games mainly because I want to test myself in the shorter distance.

“I have always had that question mark there having gone straight into long course so it will be interesting to see how I fare against some of the best girls on the ITU circuit.”

Lucy’s stellar career has seen her win IRONMAN races in Lanzarote, South Africa and Frankfurt, as well as Challenge Roth and three times at Challenge Family’s The Championship.

She added: “I expect the event to be absolutely brutal in terms of being painful, fast and furious racing. Each round will be 15 minutes of hell, three times, so it will be an absolute sufferfest but that is what I enjoy most with racing and going all in and seeing what happens.

KAILUA KONA, HAWAII - OCTOBER 12: Lucy Charles-Barclay of Great Britain celebrates with husband Reece Barclay after finishing second in the Ironman World Championships on October 12, 2019 in Kailua Kona, Hawaii. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images for IRONMAN)
Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images for IRONMAN

“I also think that whilst we can’t have crowds watching the event this time around, this kind of event could be massive for having huge crowds watching us. Despite not having crowds I think there will be an amazing atmosphere between the athletes and all of us suffering and battling it out head to head so I am looking forward to that.”

The SLT Arena Games Powered by Zwift took the triathlon world by storm on its debut in Rotterdam last year, drawing a huge audience thanks to its innovative blend of in real life and virtual racing, and leading to the 2021 events securing global broadcast deals that cover more than 100 territories.

Super League Triathlon Arena Games Rotterdam 2020
Photo: That Cameraman / Darren Wheeler / Super League Triathlon

Athletes complete three rounds of fast and furious action. The 300m swim legs takes place in an Olympic sized pool and the 4km bike and 1km run stages on static equipment with the racing realised in the virtual world of Zwift, the world’s leading online training and racing platform, providing detailed data insights and up close and personal emotions of the competitors.

The announcement concludes the women’s line-up for the SLT Arena Games Powered by Zwift. There is one final male competitor to be announced next week.

Women’s line-up: Lucy Charles-Barclay, Georgia Taylor-Brown, Sophie Coldwell, Kate Waugh, Ruth Astle, Beth Potter, Helen Jenkins, Alice Betto, Ilaria Zane, Anna Godoy.

For more information on the SLT Arena Games Powered by Zwift please visit our website.

Super League Triathlon Arena Games Rotterdam 2020
Photo: That Cameraman / Darren Wheeler / Super League Triathlon
John Levison
Written by
John Levison
TRI247's Chief Correspondent, John has been involved in triathlon for well over 30 years, 15 of those writing on these pages, whilst he can also be found commentating for events across the UK.
Discover more
Caroline Pohle Lena Meissner ironman 703 jonkoping sprint 2025
PremiumTriathlon’s mid-season report card: Tim Don on who’s raising the bar this triathlon race season
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
Hayden Wilde bike supertri Boston 2024 photo credit supertri
Premium10 ways to make your road bike faster and more aero for triathlons
Kristian Blummenfelt photo credit: PTO Canadian Open
PremiumIs your gut health impacting your performance? The untapped potential of good gut health for triathletes
Laura Philipp and Kat Matthews on the run at the 2024 IRONMAN World Championship
PremiumHas triathlon reached peak performance? Tri experts and legends on how much faster triathletes could get
latest News
Lovseth Perterer Sanchez IRONMAN Lake Placid 2025
Rising Norwegian star underlines Kona claims and says that’s now the big goal
Vincent Luis San Francisco 49ers tri suit 2025
Short-course triathlon great Vincent Luis is OUT of T100 London
Marquardt Hogenhaug Foley IRONMAN Lake Placid 2025
‘World Championship level’ – Marquardt says bike bar was raised at Lake Placid
Solveig Lovseth wins IRONMAN Lake Placid 2025
IRONMAN Lake Placid 2025 women’s results: Løvseth shows she’s the real deal and next Norwegian superstar
Matthew Marquardt wins IRONMAN Lake Placid 2025
IRONMAN Lake Placid 2025 men’s results: Marquardt wins as defending champ EXPLODES on the run
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...