Lanzarote Ironman 2025 Race Report PlanB Coaching

Lanzarote Ironman 2025 Race Report PlanB Coaching

Date: May 17, 2025

Location: Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote, Canary Islands

Conditions: Strong winds (25-35 km/h), hot & dry (24°C / 75°F), choppy swim, brutal bike climbs, fun on the run.

Landed in Lanzarote – 14th May
The build up to the race went pretty smooth and we landed on the Island on the Wednesday evening. Built the bike up Thursday, and took it out for a spin on the hills of Teguise. I was out for only 2 miles and my front tyre exploding and I was left stranded. Managed to get the bike in to a very good mechanic shop, @tribikees
I was told the rim tape on the tubeless setup had blown and needed to be re taped and re sealed. An hour later, we are rolling again and took the bike back out and all was well.

Friday went out and did a one hour pre race ride with some efforts in the racecourse and all was well and the bike felt good. Racked the bikes Friday afternoon and nothing more could be done.

Pre-Race Saturday 17th May – 5am
As we arrived at T1 on race morning, I had what every athlete has nightmares of. A flat front tyre. The tyre seemed to have blown again. I took it to the on site IM mechanics but they seemed to think it was the heat and air pressure. They pumped the tyre up and and told me to come back at 6am.
Went back to the mechanics and the tyre had gone from 65psi to 40psi in 1 hour. They were trying to convince me this was normal. I knew it wasnt.
We blew it up again and they said they would change it when I was coming out the swim if it was still down. I wasnt convinced. Off to the swim srart.

Swim (3.8km) – Chaos in the Atlantic
The race began at 7:10 AM with a mass start in Playa Grande. The Atlantic Ocean delivered its usual chop, making sighting difficult as it was a very busy swim. A push up to the first turn buoy, caused congestion with the triathletes in the middle of the pack. The water was clear as ever giving easy view to the many fish underneath you and the divers filming the race. All I could think about was the wheel and would it be up in T1.

Time – 1:14:53

Bike (180km) – The Legendary “Race of Fire”
Got to the bike and didnt even look at the wheel, was in race mode. Got off safely and got to work. Within 2 miles I had to pull up at a mechanic van and inflate the front wheel. It was at 30psi. Nightmare. Off I went again. The bike course lived up to its reputation—2,500m of climbing, gusting crosswinds, and the infamous Mirador del Río and Tabayesco ascents. The winds were brutal, forcing many into survival mode. A few crashes were reported on the fast descent into Haría, but most athletes stayed upright. Nutrition was critical in the dry heat, and many suffered from dehydration early on in the race. I had to stop another 4 times for air at the mechanics vans and and the second stop at 30 miles, I almost threw in the towel. Going up the climbs with little to no air in the tyre was fine. It was coming down looking at the front wheel srayed out on the tarmac at 40mph wondering if it was going to stay on. In hindsight, it was quite a dangerous ride but I really did not want to DNF. The wheel cost me so much time, not only in the stops but the rolling resistance on the tyre was practically zero. It was like cycling through treacle for 112 miles. Bike done and off in to the change tent. Thank the Lord!

Time – 6:52:03

Run (42.2km) – A Marathon Under the Sun
The four-loop run course along the seafront was exposed and unforgiving. The midday sun baked the black lava fields, radiating heat onto the athletes. Many struggled with cramps and fatigue, but the crowd support in Puerto del Carmen kept spirits high. I hit the marathon with the objective of one thing. DO NOT WALK. I set off and mile 1 pinged at at 7.54 so I was under the 8 min mile target. The miles started adding up and the legs felt strong. Lots of people from Darwen on course and its always good to shout out when you know you are all suffering together. Hit the half way mark in 1:42 so I decided to put my foot down. On the second half of the marathon I did a negative split of 1:38 averaging 7:36 per mile.

My last mile was 6:49 and my fastest of the day. Was the perfect marathon to end the worse race day I have ever had.

Time – 3:22:02

Finish time – 11:39

Final Thoughts
The 2025 Ironman Lanzarote was a true test of resilience. The wind and heat broke many, but those who conquered the course earned legendary status. As always, the Canary Island’s raw beauty and the passionate crowds made it an unforgettable race.

Qualified for Ironman World Champs but this year was not meant to be as I really want to race Kona with my wife.

I never make excuses for races and this race is no exception. I started and I finished. Many would have thrown in the towel with the performance of the bike on the day I had but I stuck at it. I was roughly 45 minutes away on the predicted bike time I had worked to so I am pretty confident in my fitness and what I would have got on any other given day.

Next stop Outlaw and then I will be back in Lanzarote very soon for more training.