Britain’s Harry Palmer continued his remarkable record at IRONMAN 70.3 Swansea last weekend by claiming a third consecutive victory, while Lizzie Rayner secured the biggest win of her career with her first Experience Oman IRONMAN Pro Series triumph.
Thousands of spectators lined the streets of Swansea to cheer athletes around one of the UK’s toughest middle-distance triathlons, creating the electric atmosphere the race has become known for.
With soaring temperatures across Europe, organisers declared the swim non-wetsuit, adding another challenge to an already demanding course.
Rayner overcomes drama to take first Pro Series win
The women’s race began with a strong British contingent leading out of the swim, with India Lee setting the early pace alongside Kate Curran, Jasmine Holmes, Lizzie Rayner, Steph Clutterbuck and Megan Macdonald.
Lee looked in control for much of the bike leg, but disaster struck around 10km before the second transition when she crashed and lost her chain. Rayner, who had been steadily closing the gap, seized the opportunity to move into the lead.
From there, Rayner never looked back. Despite battling cramp during the closing stages of the run, she held on to take victory in 4:23:56 and earn her first IRONMAN Pro Series win.
France’s Anne-Sophie Pierre finished just 15 seconds behind in second, while Poland’s Marta Lagownik claimed third after overtaking Rebecca Anderbury in the closing kilometres.
Reflecting on her victory, Rayner said: “I can’t really comprehend it. It feels amazing. All week I was thinking, ‘I want to win this race.’ I wanted to break the curse of Swansea that I’d put on myself.”
She added: “The last 6km were really hard. I was cramping badly, and the run course is so tough because you can see your competitors every time you turn around.”
Palmer completes Swansea hat-trick
The men’s race saw French Olympian Pierre Le Corre lead the swim, with Britain’s Kieran Lindars among the first athletes out of the water.
Germany’s Mika Noodt took control on the bike before crashing out midway through the course, opening the door for the chasing pack. Palmer, Lindars and Josh Lewis were the first athletes into the second transition.
Once onto the run, Palmer gradually took charge despite struggling physically in the early miles. He crossed the finish line in 3:50:27 to complete an impressive three-peat in Swansea.
Lindars continued his excellent season with second place, just two weeks after racing at IRONMAN Frankfurt, while Belgium’s Joran Driesen rounded out the podium after a strong run.
Speaking after the race, Palmer admitted things weren’t going to plan early on.
“Even up to about 10km on the run, I thought a top five would be a challenge. I wasn’t feeling good, my back had locked up and mentally I was in quite a negative place. I just stayed patient and knew things could change.”
He also praised the famous Swansea support: “The support is incredible. I’ve never raced anywhere like it. I don’t know what it is about the Welsh crowds, but they take it to another level.”
Top three results
Women
Lizzie Rayner (GBR) – 4:23:56
Anne-Sophie Pierre (FRA) – 4:24:11
Marta Lagownik (POL) – 4:24:54
Men
Harry Palmer (GBR) – 3:50:27
Kieran Lindars (GBR) – 3:51:12
Joran Driesen (BEL) – 3:53:40
Lindars’ runner-up finish also moves him eight places up the Experience Oman IRONMAN Pro Series standings as the season continues.
