IRONMAN 70.3: Britain’s Lucy Charles-Barkley wins her second world title

Britain’s Lucy Charles-Barclay has claimed her second Ironman 70.3 World Championship title after going through a “very difficult period” due to injury and family bereavement.

The win in Marbella came just four weeks after she was unable to finish an Ironman World Championship race in Kona, Hawaii.

“It’s definitely been a very difficult time, we’ve had a lot going on, some family things happened and unfortunately we lost someone who was really special to us, so I think that kind of changed my perspective a lot,” the 32-year-old said after her win.

“Okay, stay behind me, I’m healthy, I’m here, I think life is short and you should try to enjoy it.

“Fortunately, it came together and brought a lot of positivity to the family at what was a very difficult time, so I’m very happy that I was able to do this and honor the person we lost.”

Runner-up, American Taylor Knipp – who has won the past three editions following Charles Barkley’s successful 2021 – similarly failed to finish in Kona and was only allowed to race on Friday, but the duo eventually moved from the front in Spain.

Charles Barclay was first out of the water with a 47-second lead over Knibb and compatriot Jess Learmonth before Knibb took some time off the leader during the grueling bike stage, which included a 5.8km climb.

Knipp then moved to the front of the race before Charles Barkley brought her back, and she then pulled away to finish in four hours, 14 minutes and 54 seconds, three minutes ahead of Knipp.

Germany’s Tanya Neubert, a debutante, was third while Britain’s three-time Olympic medalist Georgia Taylor-Brown was fourth, also in her debut at this distance – a full 70.3 half Ironman, with a 1.9km swim, 90km bike ride and 21.1km run.