Lucy Charles-Barclay: GTN Meet The 2023 Ironman World Champion!

Fresh off her first long-distance Ironman World title, GTN has been catching up with new Kona Champion Lucy Charles-Barclay! We discuss how the race unfolded & the work that went into the title attempt!
Special thanks to Lucy for her time! Follow more from Lucy here 👉 ‪@LucyCharlesBarclay‬
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[@gtn]

Did you watch the race on Saturday and what did you think? Let us know 👇

[@chrisstrider]

I was on the edge of my seat for 8 hours 24 minutes 😊

[@lahire22]

We had a night (in Moscow), and I slept for the last 15 km of cycling and the first 20 km of running, but in the middle of the night I got up to watch the ending)))

[@ptocknell]

Lucy finally achieved what every triathlete strives for - the perfect race! Of course, her perfection is 1st in the world and my perfection is making it across the line before they close the course 😂

[@mikecanul]

The coverage was fantastic! Also loved your GTN race video - was awesome

[@lloydy187]

She proved she is indeed a mermaid on that swim! 😲🤯and boy did she capitalize on that lead. Amazing race overall, Very exciting to watch and so glad she did it! She has overcome so much with the injuries, putting in the work year and year and finally she achieves her dream, inspiring us all in the process. 💪🏊‍♀🚴‍♀🏃‍♀💨💨

[@djio_0]

I got quite emotional when Lucy crossed the finish line in 1st. Lucy is the reason I'm doing triathlon and has kept me motivated during my journey. I'm really happy for her. She deserved it so much.

[@jillbuckenham9145]

Despite our age gap (I'm 70) Lucy continues to inspire me to push my limits and believe in myself. Many congratulations, you SO deserve that title!!!

[@thedeadlyexplorers7514]

Race was incredible, beyond words. Lucy is the epitome of never giving up and to win it like she did! Amazing. Smell your flowers LCB. And also, big YES to women having their own day. Giving them their own coverage and media and hype was unreal.

[@powerkitemad]

I stayed up into the early hours to see Lucy smash it. I'm so happy for her, it was very well deserved!

[@MrAgbxl]

I saw Lucy a year or two ago in La Santa, running up and down the pool as she was injured I suppose. Everyday, just up and down. Totally focused. Amazing to see her win at Kona.

[@xander0901]

Major shoutouts to LCB’s social media team for putting out so much content allowing fans to follow her progress over the years. It’s been cool to see her overcome injury, setbacks, and managed expectations, to finally achieve this goal. The phenomenal race was even more spectacular to watch knowing the road to get there.

[@mikew6840]

Nice interview Heather! Huge respect for LCB, I can't imagine how tough it must be starting flat out & then keeping up the intensity alone at the front for over 8 hours. Wow.

[@MaggieM.]

Lucy is so inspirational, the definition of grit and perserverance. Hard work and fine tuning training after injury paid off. Hats off to Anne Haug on the run portion, such a beast and great competitor. These women rock and show support for one another too. Congrats again to the champ!

[@minimcewen]

Best interview with LC-B yet, she seemed very comfortable speaking with you. Congrats to her and GTN.

[@MrTheHazelnut]

The way she went down from the podium says everything about how much she invested. Well deserved!

[@coachaaronmba]

So happy to see her win! What an absolutely lovely person and athlete!

[@tonyscott9688]

We’re living in France and I played in a concert that night whilst my wife sat in the audience watching the race unfold on her phone. Straight after the concert we rushed home and stayed up glued to the TV all night. A fantastic race with a fantastic winner. Congratulations to all who took part and also well done Ruth Astle. After being injured for so long she did really well.

[@SBoots29]

Loved the interview. Lucy is an inspiration to all.

[@lisacares8380]

Absolutely enjoyed the race from beginning to end! Well done Lucy, Congratulations! Loved seeing all the amazing athletes competing at Kona!

[@PaintrainX]

I can't wrap my head around how they can go that fast on such a challenging course with such heat. They put down the hammer for 8 to 9 hours, that's insane. I'm so happy for Lucy! She deserves it so much. The swim was amazing as always. On the bike she really looked good, but I was worried she was giving too much. Once they started running it was nerve-wrecking. A marathon is such a big battle, even on its own. Let alone after so many hours of swimming/riding in such heat. As they say: a marathon is halfway after 30 km. I was a bit worried when the gap to Anne Haug was coming down faster and faster. But Lucy kept going and didn't break (thank God). I was so happy when she finished. Career completed, lol.

[@user-gr4wm6hn2m]

Fantastic race LCB...well done and congrats...very humble a true winner

[@JustKeepFlowingYes]

Well done LCB and thanks to the GTN for the interview so soon after the race!!

[@troycollett8540]

She also did a podcast just three hours after the finish

[@wallacegrooms7791]

My initial reaction to separating the men and women was not so positive. After watching the women's race my mind was quickly changed. Being able to see the women's race without being mixed in with the men made for a much more exciting viewing experience.

[@terezakoudelkova508]

I think it was also super interesting to hear the reactions from the competitors where the men were "complaining" about the split after their day, talking about the "sausage fest" and feeling like there was something missing without the women. Versus the women having an absolute blast having their own day, supporting each other along the way, and getting the attention they deserve!

[@listrahtes]

It was often zero arhmosphere at the road. I am sorry but it missed the Ironman feeling completely. Was often a ghost race. with only paid supporters and ads everywhere. They got too greedy. I don't see a future in this concept esp with the absurd weak age groupers that were now pushed in to fill the hyper expensive places up. It's a clusterfuck. Still enjoyed the race at the top but far far less than before

[@MrShoji5150]

Since I saw her fist Ironman race at second place. I knew that she will be a wold champion in near future!! Even keep staying at second place in past few years was great achievement!

[@davevaughan7772]

I watched the two hours preamble before the race and then - the entire race - It was something Very Special!! Lucy was next level - can’t be happier for a more deranging winner….All so good for woman’s sport - Millions of Lucie’s and Anne and Taylor’s and Laura’s etc being inspired around the world🥳🥳🥳

[@davevaughan7772]

Deserving🤦🏼

[@user-gr4wm6hn2m]

Great Race, well done and congrats mermaid, very proud of you LCB

[@fernandog.aguirre2791]

Just amazing Lucy...how a strong mind an athlete has to be to stay at the front for the whole race......8:24 of pure focusing and fighting to saty in that pain zone! Amazing will power, amazing pain capacity amazing WOMAN and ATHLETE.......Congrats Lucy and all these women that have the discipline and commintment to do this long distance race and in cruel Hawaii weather!

[@RaceDayAnderson]

Heather Fell. This is a great interview, well done! I look forward to more from you with the pros.

[@grahambell9831]

Congratulations to Lucy & the team behind her 👏. Pursuing a dream that has realised in the first long-distance world championship win 🏆 👏

[@charliebronson166]

Great interview. Well done done Lucy.

[@pedrodiaz4343]

Such a great interview, I didn't want it to end! So happy for LCB and her entire team; such tenacity through all of these years. Great job with this interview, GTN!!

[@TheDomLouis]

Inspirational effort by Lucy. Never give up personified. Also great interview questions by Heather.

[@marijkevandoorn586]

So happy for her, I wake up just to see her finish, went back to sleep with a smile, she such an inspiration

[@markwilson4535]

Great interview - quality questions and super answers, very insightful & great for me as an enthusiastic age grouper to hear! Many congratulations to Lucy - an absolutely stunning performance in the race - victory so well deserved!

[@steveforde7475]

An absolutely epic performance. Brilliant.

[@onorth5615]

Fantastic interview. Many great insights. Congrats LCB on a phenomenal performance.

[@user-ty8lh6gi4o]

Yes,I did. Amazingly informative professional both the race and the coverage. Lucy is the crown on it. Nice to watch and analyze for long time.

[@Shaneket]

Massive and well done and a great interview !!

[@deanb61]

I was booked onto the Yorkshire Marathon Sunday morning but there was no way I was going to stop watching this. Finally got to bed about 2am ...and did the Yorkshire Marathon after about 3 hours sleep :)

[@gtn]

💪

[@kmetz878]

That was such a great race to watch. It was really hard to call until well into the run because Taylor was hanging on real good on the bike, then trying to keep that lead against the likes of Anne Haug...so amazing to watch! Congrats Lucy! You executed an amazing race against a really strong field!

[@mirkavalasikova8391]

Amazing interview! Thank you both ladies 👍🏼🫶🏼

[@eddieweek]

This is an amazing interview. Both ladies are so class.

[@stefan78able]

I'm so happy for Lucy, she was always so close and finally won it. I remember those days when I stood next to her after Graftman Tri, her being a junior Athlete in Triathlon.

[@artembarsukov9951]

well deserved!!

[@lahire22]

Sport transforms a person! Enlightens! What kind of face did Lucy have when she finished?! A radiance that can be admired like looking at a fire! I'm very happy for both of them!

[@diggdirkler]

Great, detailed interview. Race was incredible too - sounds like Lucy was really going for broke. Brave stuff. Hope she can keep the longevity in her training and put on a show again next year.

[@lauras1636]

Incredible race! Congrats to Lucy for finally accomplishing her dream of being on the top step. 🎉🎉🎉 Thank you ladies for a great show

[@leeadams2413]

At midnight I was off to bed ready to watch the rest in the morning but this was Lucy and I'm so glad to have not to miss it. Great job

[@mjc21706]

Loves seeing you finally get it!!!🤘🏽🤘🏽🤘🏽

[@jimgonzales3366]

Congratulations Lucy! I missed the swim because we were doing a local 25 mile relay run! As soon as I got back to the house I pulled up the race on my phone and watched Lucy ride and run to her Championship!!🤙👏👏

[@99cya]

i think everyone underestimated lucy. she did not falter, she did a great run section. i have a feeling that the other top favourites did not put enough effort into their swim and bike section.

[@kathleenbolanos]

Absolutely amazing!!

[@VeronicaTorres-fm9ew]

Rich Roll Podcast or this interview? I clicked on this asap!!🎉🎉

[@paulcotterill7247]

So happy for her!

[@PinkBunnySlipers]

Lucy, your race was awesome to watch well fought and well won.

[@allanmolyneux4271]

Such a nice interview

[@dinafoxm]

This interview made me so happy. 💖

[@loulew07]

Been watching Ironman Hawaii starting back in Oct 1985 . Really enjoyed a wire to wire win for LCB knowing how much she had to overcome and keep finding way to stick to the plan and win . Great for the sport and great for women . Women deserved their day in the sun . Thanks GTN With all of the sorrow in the world and places where women are suffering still, great to see such positive views of strong women .

[@marksmith6007]

Great Job, Lucy! Great interview

[@kerstinklasen6562]

Lucy, so happy for you! 🎉 Such an amazing race! ❤

[@allisonclark4344]

I was working on rostered shift so was looking forward to my breaks to see how it was going.. so pleased Lucy won. Very deserving not just as a athlete who put so much work into her aim and with challanges of injuries and being a mum but very deserving also the type of person she is..humble,positive and kind. I've done one IM in Dec and would like to do more in a few years when it become more financially able..as a solo parent it took me few years to save for first..done on a tight budget. I'm slow. I'm so amazed how fast the pros are..

[@Fit.Girl.Fitness]

I'm beyond thrilled that the ladies had their own day with so much coverage. I felt we could totally focus and learn about the pros. The Men's Ironman has always dominated all the press and interviews. Ironman hit a homerun with this!! I watched most of the race, and Lucy looked so strong. I really feel that Ironman thinks female atheletes are valued. Thank You!!

[@clairefortier9738]

Lucy is such an incredible athlete & so likable! Really glad she got the win!

[@brunokrause]

Congrats on the interview, Heather. Asked the right questions, no clichés, no BS. Kudos!

[@ScottWaltonDev]

0:30 Those are some CRISP tan lines. GCN would be jealous.

[@mandysweeney7622]

Congratulations Lucy! You are a complete legend!

[@andyashton3605]

Amazing race to watch, cannot believe how strong Lucy was from start to finish.

[@susantunmore6676]

Sadly i missed this race 😢 gutted! But so happy Lucy got what she deserved. She is so inspirational. I wish i had her will power x

[@patrickfransman1]

What a performance, great interview! Absolute animal 💪🏻 truly inspiring

[@kennethknowles6253]

Excellent interview. I watched the race entirely. During the run I kept switching between getting emotional and doing the math as Taylor Knibb and Anne Haug were in the hunt. Brilliant overall performance by Lucy!!!

[@SiliconEngineer]

After everything she's been through this last year, to still come through and smash it out of the park! Wow! 🤯

[@felicitycaddick6443]

I so wanted her to win this year and she just dominated. Well worth watching at 2am here 🎉

[@gusrallim]

Probably the coolest sport event I've ever watched, what a legend

[@Teignrower1987]

Yep, though fell asleep for majority of the marathon until 8km to go just to check to see where LCB was. So chuffed for her!!

[@roberthodgson3574]

Cheered her on for 8 hours. Must be so hard to lead for that time mentally. Incredible event for women's sport, what a relief for Lucy. Well done champ 🇬🇧

[@maryskelcher8979]

Thanks for a great interview 👍 Some interesting questions, and I am sooooo pleased LCB won. Enhorabuena 🎉🎉🎉 (Congratulations....I think it sounds even better in Spanish 😅)

[@pr9414]

Brilliant, so happy for her

[@chriswynn336]

The race was incredible. And thought the coverage was excellent. The announcers were a bit chatty but overall a great show! Thanx KZbin for the access. ❤

[@hansrosendahl1182]

Congratulations Lucy! You are a great ambassador for the great sport of triathlon. Ironwoman indeed.

[@JohnBaxendale]

What an inspiration!

[@alisonwilks302]

I predicted Luch for the win ! I knew as soon as GTN said she was training at home on Zwift that this was her year . So happy for her xxxxxxxxxxxxx

[@ravingcyclist624]

Great interview! Very knowledgeable questions and very enlightening and inspiring answers! At 81 yo I did 1400 miles this year according to my Garmin. That calculates out to 10 Ironmen, I think. 🙂

[@glatocha]

Seems like GTN was witnessing all the journey. I remember first "swimming tips" video :)

[@DC-nt5lh]

Go Lucy!!! Awesome!

[@njvalueinvestor]

What grit and perseverance. I was thinking Kona should name 2nd place after you and 4X finishes. How sweet winning must be.

[@DA-bp8lf]

I was really hoping she would win!! With a new course record!! WAY TO GO LUCY!!! 🤩👏👏👏

[@erikasantoshafitness348]

Just amazing! Mermaid Power✊🏻🧜‍♀️

[@GrouEEf]

I think there can't be a single person not appreciating lucy and her incredible effort to win this.

[@sidoiscool]

what an athlete! so well deserved to be the queen of kona now

[@leonsanderbrandenborg5442]

I`m so happy for you.. Lucy.❤

[@TheSnifmister]

Congratulations you deserve it

[@TheDomLouis]

16:45 Good to hear that Lucy's new coach is into the "science" and it looks like it has paid dividends!! If only we could have convinced Lionel to stay with the Norwegians for another couple of years. We can but dream about what could have been possible for him!!

[@drtimoneill]

Definitely

[@janfolkerts7342]

Stayed up till Laura Phillip finished. What a race, finally Lucy did it! So happy for her.

[@simonejulian3266]

LCB gives new meaning to “I Love Lucy”☺️🙌❤️❤️🥰🧜‍♀️🧜‍♀️🍾🥂

[@michaelkennedy9064]

I haven't been a fan of having the men and womens world champs being in different locations but loved seeing the women have their day. The race was awesome.

[@user-pq3th2jl9q]

Great interview Heather, wow what a champion LCB is, so great to see the women separate from the men, amazing race I was glued to the coverage the whole time! Ironman separating the 2 races was awesome in the end who would have thought!

[@johnsenior478]

Great interview with a truly great athlete. Ought to be Sports personality of the year..can’t argue with the personality , athletic credentials or the story behind the win but I suspect Ironman doesn’t register with the majority of the sporting public.

[@MrShoji5150]

I have been watching Lucy was 2nd place for some years. And finally she becomes champion. She might become dominate like a next Daniela!? 😂 I love her new bike 👍

[@D4D22]

Lucy can’t get enough credit for her amazing performance and deserved victory.

[@morganhaynes6125]

So cool....so smart...so fierce....

[@deanb61]

As an aside, I would say that the 'experiment' of splitting the mens and women's world championships has now been proven a total success.

[@mvschooten]

Wonderfull

[@elclaudiosanchez]

I Love you Lucy!❤

[@michaelgriffiths305]

Watched it. Delighted for LCB - all on her own, incredible run! Particularly when you hear about the calf issue. Gutted for Kat Matthews, so hope she can win one. Taylor Knibb has the potential to move the event on. Her swim wasn't her best. A respectful bike was still top level and backed by 3hr 5 min Marathon as a first time. Her next Kona... with specific trainig she surely will rewrite the bike course record and the run can improve. Sub 8 at Roth is on...