Lionel Sanders wins The Championship

Lionel Sanders ran away with the win at Challenge Family’s inaugural world championship race, The Championship, this morning in Samorin, Slovakia. As a pre-race favourite, Sanders was well-suited to the fast and flat course and clocked a time of 3:40:03. Sebastian Kienle took second just a minute behind and German Michael Raelert took third. Alistair Brownlee pulled out of the race on the run.

Tough day from the first stroke of the swim. Hate not finishing but didn't have a choice today. Great event and well done to the other guys https://t.co/BXyaxDVYQx

— Alistair Brownlee (@AliBrownleetri) June 3, 2017

On the women’s side, a quickly rising star Lucy Charles grabbed the title with less than two weeks after her win at Ironman Lanzarote. The 24-year-old Brit has been on a roll this season, winning Challenge Gran Canaria earlier in the year and quickly establishing herself as one of the strongest on the scene in long course racing right now. Annabel Luxford and Heather Wurtele rounded out the podium in second and third respectively.

OMG!! What a race! Loved it! Super exciting racing with classy ladies! Unreal to take the win ? #TheChampionship @Challenge_Famil #winner pic.twitter.com/BH4v0Zuh8m

— Lucy Charles-Barclay (@LucyAnneCharles) June 3, 2017

Full results are available here and we will have move post-race coverage up all weekend.