When I was deep in my triathlon era, I’d often spend long training runs imagining I’d just won my age group (Lol, one can dream!) to proud cheers of family and friends at whatever local event I happened to be training for. 

Like, I mean … IMAGINE winning, especially at your local, home ground event! 

Well, that’s exactly what 2023 IRONMAN World Champion and fan fave, Lucy Charles-Barclay, did at this weekend’s T100 London. 

‘A mind-blowing’ win

The London T100 Triathlon took place over the weekend (9–10 August 2025), and Charles-Barclay delivered! 

A hard-fought, emotional performance earned her her first T100 victory in 3:35:51, in front of her home crowd. 

What made the victory even sweeter for Charles-Barclay was that the win at London’s ExCel came just a year after her devastating DNF at London T100 in 2024, reportedly due to various health and injury issues. 

“Oh my god, it feels amazing. After last year, I was so devastated to DNF here in my home race,” Charles-Barclay said in a post-race interview. 

“To get the win is a bit mind-blowing to be honest.” 

Rounding out the podium were fellow Brit Kate Waugh, who took second place (3:36:46), with 2024 T100 World Champion, USA’s Taylor Knibb taking third (3:39:07).  

So, how did the race unfold? 

2km swim

.The 2-lap, 2km swim took place in London’s Royal Victoria Dock, and after an aggressive start, quickly saw a lead pack form, with Charles-Barclay setting the pace early on in a masterclass open water swim performance.

The swim saw some early drama when Britain’s Megan McDonald was forced out on the first lap, appearing to clutch a painful side/shoulder injury as she exited the boat – a T100 first, according to race commentators. (Yikes!)

The top athletes out of the water were Charles-Barclay, Britain’s Jessica Learmonth and Waugh, with Knibb in fourth position out of the swim. 

80km bike

The technical 8-lap 10km bike course featured 6 roundabouts and 2 out-and-back sections where athletes were able to see each other and gauge their competition.

Race commentator and 3-time IRONMAN World Champion Jan Frodeno noted, during the live coverage, that the road conditions and quality were less than ideal, compounded by strong winds that added an extra layer of challenge.  

“The wind is significant out on course today,” Frodeno said. “I think it’s going to have an impact on the race.” 

The challenging conditions added to the drama early on during the bike leg, with Holly Lawrence (UK) losing a bottle – and taking a slightly wrong turn – shortly after exiting T1. 

Race leader, Learmonth, wasn’t spared from the challenging conditions, also losing a bottle going over a speed bump. (Oof!)

As the kilometres on the bike leg ticked away, Learmonth, Waugh and Charles-Barclay established themselves at the front, holding 20-30 seconds on Knibb, whose slow transition cost her a position at the front of the pack. 

However, Knibb didn’t give up, and with 30km to go, she made it up to the front group and was soon the new leader on the course, forcing a growing gap to Charles-Barclay in 2nd. 

Onto the final 10km lap, Charles-Barclay rode into the lead, pushing hard with Knibb, Learmonth and Waugh, still packed together behind her. 

Riding into T2, Charles-Barclay’s small 8-second lead saw her first off the bike, with Learmonth, Knibb and Waugh heading onto the 18km run together. 

18km run 

Charles-Barclay headed off onto the 5-lap run course in the lead, with Learmonth, Knibb and Waugh hot on her heels. 

Learmonth was quickly dropped as Knibb and Waugh pushed shoulder-to-shoulder, keeping Charles-Barclay in sight and gradually reeling her in. 

The front trio reunited by 2.6km into the run, all clocking around 3:30/km pace. 

At 4.5km, Waugh stepped on the gas, dropping Knibb as Charles-Barclay tried to hold on for another kilometre, but ultimately Waugh’s pace was too great and Charles-Barclay dropped off. 

But with 8km to go, Waugh was starting to fatigue, and by the final lap, with 3.6km to go, Charles-Barclay was catching the lead. 

The catch came with 2.4km to go, Charles-Barclay surged past a tired Waugh, who failed to respond. 

Powering back into ExCel to the sounds of a roaring home crowd, Charles-Barclay turned into the finish zone, the smile appearing as she crossed the finish line, winning a T100 title on home soil. 

Emotions taking over as she crossed the tape in 3:35:51, the British superstar moved into 4th place in the T100 Race to Qatar standings. 

“It was just incredible in here [at the ExCel]. I never have my friends and family supporting me and watching me race live,” Charles-Barclay said. 

“This is probably the only race in the year that they do. So last year they were all here, and I came in feeling like I would be unable to deliver due to injuries, and it was the last race my Grandad came and watched. 

“Sadly, he passed away at the end of last year. So I feel like I did it for him today. He was looking down on me, and I think I delivered for him. So I’m really, really pleased.”

Looking ahead, Charles-Barclay is hopeful this win will give her “confidence for the rest of the year”. 

“I love what the T100 races bring to us, the athletes, and I love what it brings to the fans. The girls out there today were just incredible,” she said. 

To view the race, click here.