“My body is saying yes.” Thrilling news as Lucy Charles-Barclay announces she will be on the start line at Challenge Roth
Lucy Charles-Barclay has announced via her Instagram account that she will be lining up for one of the biggest races of the tri calendar this year – Challenge Roth.
Charles-Barclay has previously won the title in 2019 and came second in 2018 but this will be the first time since her victory that we’ll see her back on the start line. Oh her 2019 victory, she said:
““Challenge Roth is incredibly special to me. Winning there in 2019 was one of the most important moments of my career. It changed so much for me, and it is honestly up there with winning the Ironman World Championship as one of the proudest moments I have had in the sport.”
The last year has seen the pro cope with the aftermath of a DNF in Kona due to extreme heat and then scheduled surgery on an injury, as she discussed in our recent interview. A commanding win at Ironman Lanzarote showed the she was back on form however and today’s news will add to the excitement already building around Roth.
On the start line
In the video to her followers, Charles-Barclay said:
“There a race that means more to me than most. And in January of this year, I was so close to signing the dotted line and committing to racing. But unfortunately, my body said no, and I had to let that dream slide for this year, which was really, really sad. However, I’m in a slightly different position now. I’m happy, I’m healthy, my body is saying, yes, my mind is saying yes. And after a weekend of training that proved that to me, I’m in a position where I’d be happy to put myself on the start line.”
“I sent Felix [Walschöfer, Race Director] a little video yesterday, to which he called me back almost immediately, and we had a very exciting and emotional phone call. And after that phone call, I’ve decided I’ll put myself on the start line on Sunday at challenge Roth, and I can’t quite believe it. I’m so excited to be on the start line because I can – because my body is saying yes, and there’s been so many times in my career where my body said no, or I’ve had to pull out the very last minute of racing, so nothing is ever guaranteed.
“In this sport, in the races I have later in the year, who knows what will happen. So for now, I’m happy and healthy, and so excited to announce I’ll race Challenge Roth on Sunday, and I can’t wait to see you all there.“
Watch the race
Challenge Roth is this coming Sunday, 5 July 2026. More than 3,500 individual competitors and around 700 relay teams will take on the legendary long-distance race including a star-studded pro line-up. The entire race will be broadcast live and for free at www.challenge-roth.com and on the Challenge Roth YouTube channel with English commentary by Belinda Granger and Sebastian Kienle.
Lead image: Photo by Jan Hetfleisch/Getty Images for Challenge Roth
Helen Webster
Editor, 220 Triathlon 
