IRONMAN Lanzarote has always been a special race for Lucy Charles-Barclay and this year’s edition was no exception.
It was the Brit’s first pro race back in 2016 and also where she recorded her maiden full-distance victory a year later.
Since then Club La Santa on the island has been a frequent training base and this year the race was another significant stepping stone given that it represented a belated start to her Pro season, coming just 16 weeks after Plantaris tendon removal surgery.
‘Keep believing’
Despite that tight timescale to get race fit, from the moment she broke her own swim course record she was in a league of her own and would go on to win by more than 25 minutes to underline her 2026 campaign is very much back on track.
It ticked off her Kona validation and a repeat victory there in the IRONMAN World Championship remains the ultimate target.
So no wonder there was an emotional tribute from her husband and co-coach Reece Barclay, who wrote on Instagram: “This one means a lot.
“Not just because of the result, but because of everything it took to get here.
“Back in January, we flew to Club La Santa full of hope that rest had settled the niggle troubling Lucy. Five days later, we were sat on the athletics pitch with Lucy in serious pain, plans cancelled, races scrapped, and surgery suddenly a very real possibility.
“As her husband, that was hard to watch. You want answers. You want to fix it. You want to take some of it away. But all you can really do is be there, adapt, support, and keep believing with her.
‘We both knew the real target’
“Post-surgery, the goal was simple: get back to a start line. Any start line.
“Swimming kept belief alive. It gave Lucy a way to keep progressing, keep working, and still feel like herself while everything else had to change.
“But deep down, we both knew the real target. We never needed to say it out loud. Getting to this start line already meant so much.
“Delivering after all of that made it even more special.
“A special thank you to our team, friends and family, without your support this would not be possible.
“Proud doesn’t really cover it.”
‘Winning mentality’
LCB’s coach Dan Lorang couldn’t hide his delight and admiration either, saying: “This is the result of dedication, perseverance, teamwork, a winning mentality, and an incredible ability to get back up every time you’re knocked down.
“Congratulations to Lucy and the entire team! It remains something truly special for me to share this journey with you — a journey whose ultimate destination still lies ahead.
“Let’s savour this moment and pause to take it in, before we get back to chasing the dream.”
