IRONMAN World Champion Lucy Charles-Barclay targeting titles in new distance this season

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British triathlon star Lucy Charles-Barclay, the reigning IRONMAN World Champion, has announced her ambitions for the upcoming season.

The 30-year-old, who broke the course record in Kona last October with a mind-blowing performance, plans to focus her attention on the shorter distance in 2024.

The PTO World #4, who has twice finished on the podium at PTO Tour events, will do battle over the 100km distance in the highly anticipated series set to be announced at the end of the month.

“I’ve never focused on the distance entirely before”

Explaining in a recent YouTube video why she has decided to pursue her PTO ambitions this year, Charles-Barclay said that its a matter of seeing how well she can adapt to a distance she has never targeted before.

[Photo credit: PTO / Darren Wheeler]

“For me, my personal goal this year is the PTO Series, that’s where I want to focus my attention.

“I’ve never focused on that distance entirely before and I just want to see how far I can go over the format.”

Last year, Charles-Barclay finished third behind Anne Haug and Ashleigh Gentle at the PTO Tour European Open in Ibiza and clinched fifth place at the PTO Tour Asian Open in Singapore.

‘I know the potential is there”

With multiple middle distance wins under her belt and an IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship title to her name, the Brit is confident she can compete over the fast and furious format.

“I obviously have an IRONMAN 70.3 world title, so I know the potential is there. There are some specific races in the series that are my A races and I want to win.”

“You probably will see me in the Ironman series as well at some point this year but the PTO series is where my focus will be.”

Written by

Tomos Land

Tomos Land is a triathlon & running journalist whose expertise lies in the professional world of short course & long distance triathlon, though he also boasts an extensive knowledge of ultra-running.