Lucy Charles

Lucy Charles-Barclay is an English professional triathlete specialising in the Ironman and 70.3 distances, who is the 2021 World Champion in that discipline. Prior to taking up triathlon, Charles was an elite distance and open water swimmer. She attempted to gain selection for the British swimming team for the 2012 Olympic trials in both the pool and open water. She was, however, unsuccessful, despite having beaten open water trials winner Keri-anne Payne in the Great North Swim a month previously. Charles subsequently made her debut in triathlon in 2014 and went on to win the 18–24 women’s age category at the 2015 Ironman World Championship as an amateur. She subsequently turned professional. Husband, Reece Barclay is a British professional IronMan triathlete as-well and also coaches Lucy at the professional level.