Lionel Sanders
Lionel James Sanders (born February 22, 1988) is a Canadian professional triathlete and the winner of the 2017 ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Championships. In 2017 he also placed second at the Ironman World Championship.[3] In 2014 he placed fourth in the 2014 Ironman 70.3 World Championship held in Mont-Tremblant, Quebec.[4] Sanders's first professional race was in September 2013 at the Muskoka Ironman 70.3,[5] where he took 1st place over Andreas Raelert.
 Sanders at Mont Tremblant 70.3 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Lionel James Sanders | |||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 22 February 1988[1] Windsor, Ontario, Canada | |||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)[1] | |||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 72 kg (159 lb)[2] | |||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Country | Canada | |||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | Triathlon | |||||||||||||||||||
| Turned pro | 2013 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Coached by | Gerry Rodrigues, Tower 26, David Tilbury-Davis | |||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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Career
Born in Windsor, Ontario, Sanders attended the University of Windsor, and later transferred to McMaster University in Hamilton where he ran for the cross-country running team.[6]
2013 triathlon season
In 2013 Sanders began to race local Ontario Multisport Canada triathlons. He did well, winning every race he entered. Sanders officially began his Pro Triathlete career in September when he continued his win streak by taking first place in 70.3 Muskoka.
2014 triathlon season
Sanders went on to have a successful 2014 Ironman 70.3 season with notable wins at the Ironman 70.3 races in Muncie, Racine and Steelhead.[7] After his 4th-place finish at the 2014 Ironman 70.3 World Championships Sanders finished his first Ironman distance race as a professional at Ironman Florida on November 1, 2014; an event he won. In that race, the swim was cancelled due to poor conditions.[8]
2015 triathlon season
Sanders had a string of 70.3 victories in 2015, combined with some learning experiences at the Ironman distance. At Ironman Texas Sanders struggled under the oppressive heat & humid conditions, fading on the run and taking a fourth. At Ironman Mont Tremblant Sanders had a disappointing performance, finishing fifth. This was Sanders's first time competing at the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii where he finished 14th. Sanders went on to Ironman Arizona finishing with a time under 8 hours to take his first official full distance victory (a year before he won Ironman Florida, however the swim was cancelled).
2016 triathlon season
On November 20, 2016, Sanders set a new world record for the full distance triathlon at Ironman Arizona, with a winning time of 7:44:29. The previous record, held by Marino Vanhoenacker, had stood for five years.
Sanders' 2016 Record was broken by Tim Don in 2017 Edition of Ironman Brazil in Florianopolis.[9]
2017 triathlon season
In 2017, Sanders had one of his best season of his career, winning ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Championships in Penticton, British Columbia, Canada. Sander's won all but one 70.3 race that he entered, the exception being 70.3 St. George, where he finished second to Alistair Brownlee.[10] Sanders led the Ironman World Championship in Kona Hawaii through mile 23 of the marathon before being passed by Patrick Lange. Lionel would hold on to finish second.[11]
2018 triathlon season
In 2018 Sanders continued his success, winning most of his races, except Oceanside 70.3, which he lost to Jan Frodeno. In June, he won Challenge Family "The Championship" again against Sebastian Kienle in a time of 3:44 before winning Mont-Tremblant 70.3.
In full distance racing, Sanders placed 2nd at Ironman Mont-Tremblant and 29th at the Ironman World Championships.
Personal
Sanders has been public about the substance abuse problem that eventually led him to sign up for the 2010 Ironman Louisville in late 2009.[12] He finished in a time of 10:14:31.[13] The Hamilton Spectator wrote an in-depth article detailing his substance abuse past and how he will be telling this story for the rest of his life. He was quoted as saying, "I want to prove to anyone who has ever battled addiction that not only can you beat it, but you can turn yourself into something great in the process."[14]
Sanders is married to Erin Macdonald.
Race history
In the six years from 2013 to 2018, Lionel Sanders took part in over 66 triathlon competitions and achieved 58 top 3 positions.
2019
| Date | Race | Distances | Swim | Bike | Run | Total | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 11th 2019 | Tecumseh Triathlon | 800m - 32k - 6k | 12:11 | 43:36 | 22:31 | 1:19:24 | 1st |
| August 18th, 2019 | Ironman Mont Tremblant | 3.8k - 180k - 42.2k | 51:58 | 4:15:13 | 2:53:58 | 8:05:38 | 2nd |
| September 9th, 2019 | Augusta 70.3 | 1.9k - 90k - 21.1k | 23:08 | 2:03:08 | 1:12:30 | 3:42:19 | 1st |
| October 12th, 2019 | Ironman World Championship | 3.8k - 180k - 42.2k | 52:22 | 4:15:22 | 3:13:42 | 8:25:54 | 22nd |
| November 3rd, 2019 | Ironman 70.3 Los Cabos | 1.9k - 90k - 21.1k | 25:16 | 2:02:34 | 1:13:09 | 3:44:06 | 1st |
2018
| Date | Race | Distances | Swim | Bike | Run | Total | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 14, 2018 | Pucon 70.3 | 1.9k - 90k - 21.1k | 26:51 | 2:01:15 | 1:16:25 | 3:48:44 | 1st |
| April 7, 2018 | Oceanside 70.3 | 1.9k - 90k - 21.1k | 24:35 | 2:08:42 | 1:11:28 | 3:48:58 | 2nd |
| May 6, 2018 | St. George 70.3 | 1.9k - 90k - 21.1k | 25:26 | 2:01:31 | 1:11:47 | 3:41:11 | 1st |
| June 3, 2018 | Challenge Samorin Championship | 1.9k - 90k - 21.1k | 29:05 | 1:58:17 | 1:10:49 | 3:44:03 | 1st |
| June 24, 2018 | Mont Tremblant 70.3 | 1.9k - 90k - 21.1k | 24:15 | 2:02:19 | 1:11:23 | 3:40:58 | 1st |
| August 19, 2018 | Ironman Mont Tremblant | 3.8k - 180k - 42.2k | 55:07 | 4:28:35 | 2:55:51 | 8:24:01 | 2nd |
| October 13, 2018 | Ironman World Championship | 3.8k - 180k - 42.2k | 53:59 | 4:16:59 | 3:15:26 | 8:30:34 | 29th |
2017
| Date | Race | Distances | Swim | Bike | Run | Total | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 15, 2017 | Pucon 70.3 | 1.9k - 90k - 21.1k | 28:20 | 2:09:23 | 1:16:38 | 4:00:08 | 1st |
| March 12, 2017 | Buenos Aires 70.3 | 1.9k - 90k - 21.1k | 27:19 | 1:59:27 | 1:13:10 | 3:42:47 | 1st |
| April 1, 2017 | Oceanside 70.3 | 1.9k - 90k - 21.1k | 25:20 | 2:05:42 | 1:14:06 | 3:50:04 | 1st |
| May 6, 2017 | St. George 70.3 | 1.9k - 90k - 21.1k | 26:25 | 2:01:24 | 1:12:19 | 3:42:31 | 2nd |
| June 3, 2017 | Challenge Samorin Championship | 1.9k - 90k - 21.1k | 24:47 | 1:56:04 | 1:14:22 | 3:40:03 | 1st |
| June 11, 2017 | Leamington Sprint Triathlon | 750m - 20k - 5k | 10:41 | 26:48 | 16:24 | 55:10 | 1st |
| June 25, 2017 | Mont Tremblant 70.3 | 1.9k - 90k - 21.1k | 26:21 | 2:01:53 | 1:14:01 | 3:46:04 | 1st |
| Aug 27th 2017 | ITU World Championship | 3k - 120k - 30k | 40:40 | 2:51:12 | 1:45:35 | 5:20:36 | 1st |
| Oct 14th 2017 | Ironman World Championship | 3.8k - 180k - 42.2k | 53:41 | 4:14:19 | 2:51:53 | 8:04:07 | 2nd |
| Nov 19th 2017 | Ironman Arizona | 3.8k - 180k - 42.2k | 51:33 | 4:12:03 | 2:47:16 | 7:54:10 | 1st |
2016
| Date | Race | Distances | Swim | Bike | Run | Total | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 31st 2016 | Panama 70.3 | 1.9k - 90k - 21.1k | 24:35 | 1:55:03 | 1:14:48 | 3:38:53 | 1st |
| April 2, 2016 | Oceanside 70.3 | 1.9k - 90k - 21.1k | 26:33 | 2:07:47 | 1:11:42 | 3:51:17 | 1st |
| April 10, 2016 | Texas 70.3 | 1.9k - 90k - 21.1k | 26:57 | 1:58:09 | 1:13:09 | 3:40:30 | 1st |
| May 7, 2016 | St. George 70.3 | 1.9k - 90k - 21.1k | 27:39 | 2:03:57 | 1:13:30 | 3:48:18 | 1st |
| June 26, 2016 | Mont Tremblant 70.3 | 1.9k - 90k - 21.1k | 26:17 | 2:02:29 | 1:15:06 | 3:47:31 | 1st |
| July 17, 2016 | Racine 70.3 | N/A - 50k - 21.1k | N/A | 1:02:48 | 1:17:15 | 2:20:57 | 2nd |
| Aug 7th 2016 | Tecumseh Triathlon | 800m - 32k - 6k | 15:07 | 42:42 | 21:47 | 1:20:49 | 1st |
| Aug 14th 2016 | Wiesbaden 70.3 | 1.9k - 90k - 21.1k | 26:13 | 2:20:39 | 1:09:20 | 4:00:23 | 2nd |
| Sept 4th 2016 | 70.3 World Championship | 1.9k - 90k - 21.1k | 25:41 | 2:06:42 | 1:10:34 | 3:47:14 | 9th |
| Oct 8th 2016 | Ironman World Championship | 3.8k - 180k - 42.2k | 56:41 | 4:26:35 | 3:17:01 | 8:44:49 | 29th |
| Oct 28-30th 2016 | Island House Invitational | Multiple Races | N/A | N/A | N/A | 3:41:18 | 10th |
| Nov 20th 2016 | Ironman Arizona | 3.8k - 180k - 42.2k | 53:45 | 4:04:38 | 2:42:31 | 7:44:29 | 1st |
2015
| Date | Race | Distances | Swim | Bike | Run | Total | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 28, 2015 | Oceanside 70.3 | 1.9k - 90k - 21.1k | 26:59 | 2:04:46 | 1:13:12 | 3:49:19 | 3rd |
| April 26, 2015 | Galveston 70.3 | 1.9k - 90k - 21.1k | 28:23 | 2:02:25 | 1:12:20 | 3:45:39 | 1st |
| May 9, 2015 | Ironhawk Duathlon | 5k - 20k - 2.5k | 15:46 | 27:29 | 7:57 | 52:14 | 1st |
| May 16, 2015 | Ironman Texas | 3.8k - 180k - 42.2k | 57:19 | 4:11:25 | 3:11:22 | 8:24:54 | 4th |
| June 14, 2015 | Leamington Sprint Tri | 750m - 20k - 5k | 10:33 | 26:23 | 16:16 | 54:43 | 1st |
| June 21, 2015 | Mont Tremblant 70.3 | 1.9k - 90k - 21.1k | 26:58 | 2:03:21 | 1:11:14 | 3:45:38 | 1st |
| July 5, 2015 | Muskoka 70.3 | 1.9k - 94k - 21.1k | 27:50 | 2:16:08 | 1:15:39 | 4:02:54 | 1st |
| July 19, 2015 | Racine 70.3 | 1.9k - 90k - 21.1k | 26:21 | 2:03:53 | 1:15:46 | 3:49:41 | 1st |
| Aug 9th 2015 | Tecumseh Triathlon | 800m - 32k - 6k | 13:01 | 40:40 | 21:53 | 1:16:35 | 1st |
| Aug 16th 2015 | Ironman Mont Tremblant | 3.8k - 180k - 42.2k | 56:27 | 4:40:32 | 3:00:37 | 8:42:13 | 5th |
| Oct 10th 2015 | Ironman World Championship | 3.8k - 180k - 42.2k | 1:01:10 | 4:35:17 | 2:54:41 | 8:36:26 | 14th |
| Nov 15th 2015 | Ironman Arizona | 3.8k - 180k - 42.2k | 54:04 | 4:13:38 | 2:47:07 | 7:58:22 | 1st |
2014
| Date | Race | Distances | Swim | Bike | Run | Total | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 6, 2014 | Texas 70.3 | 1.9k - 90k - 21.1k | 27:38 | 2:13:36 | 1:12:08 | 3:56:19 | 10th |
| May 3, 2014 | St. George 70.3 | 1.9k - 90k - 21.1k | 26:58 | 2:12:40 | 1:12:18 | 3:55:07 | 18th |
| May 10, 2014 | Ontario Sprint Duathlon Champs | 750m - 20k - 5k | 56:00 | 1st | |||
| May 25, 2014 | Woodstock Sprint Triathlon | 750m - 20k - 5k | 11:14 | 29:11 | 15:58 | 57:33 | 1st |
| June 1, 2014 | Raleigh 70.3 | 1.9k - 90k - 21.1k | 27:34 | 2:12:51 | 1:09:56 | 3:52:47 | 2nd |
| June 7, 2014 | Binbrook Long-Sprint Triathlon | 750m - 30k - 7.5k | 11:02 | 42:53 | 24:47 | 1:19:39 | 1st |
| June 22, 2014 | Syracuse 70.3 | 1.9k - 90k - 21.1k | 26:28 | 2:16:27 | 1:09:54 | 3:55:43 | 2nd |
| July 6, 2014 | Ontario Sprint Tri Champs | 750m - 20k - 5k | 58:15 | 1st | |||
| July 12, 2014 | Muncie 70.3 | 1.9k - 90k - 21.1k | 26:31 | 2:02:20 | 1:10:54 | 3:42:48 | 1st |
| July 20, 2014 | Racine 70.3 | 1.9k - 90k - 21.1k | 27:41 | 2:05:17 | 1:09:36 | 3:45:55 | 1st |
| July 27, 2014 | Bala Falls Long-Sprint Triathlon | 750m - 30k - 7.5k | 10:24 | 40:55 | 25:52 | 1:18:26 | 1st |
| Aug. 10th 2014 | Steelhead 70.3 | 1.9k - 90k - 21.1k | 29:42 | 2:00:41 | 1:12:36 | 3:46:13 | 1st |
| Sept. 7th 2014 | 70.3 World Championship | 1.9k - 90k - 21.1k | 26:42 | 2:04:14 | 1:11:21 | 3:46:03 | 4th |
| Sept. 13th 2014 | Lakeside Sprint | 750m - 20k - 5k | 10:52 | 27:46 | 16:24 | 56:20 | 1st |
| Sept. 21st 2014 | Ontario Long Course Champs | 1.9k - 92.8k - 21.1k | 28:45 | 2:01:26 | 1:11:35 | 3:44:55 | 1st |
| Nov. 1st 2014 | Ironman Florida | N/A - 180k - 42.2k | N/A | 4:12:46 | 2:44:12 | 6:58:46 | 1st |
2013
| Date | Race | Distances | Time | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 11, 2013 | IronHawk Duathlon | 5k - 30k - 5k | 1:20:37 | 1st |
| May 26, 2013 | Caledon Sprint Triathlon | 400m - 15k - 5k | 49:49 | 1st |
| June 2, 2013 | Ontario Duathlon Champs | 10k - 40k - 5k | 1:44:09 | 1st |
| June 8, 2013 | MSC Binbook Triathlon | 750m - 30k - 7.5k | 1:20:27 | 1st |
| June 16, 2013 | Ontario Sprint Tri Champs | 750m - 20k - 5k | 57:21 | 1st |
| June 22, 2013 | MSC Welland Triathlon | 750m 30k - 7.5k | 1:19:08 | 1st |
| July 6, 2013 | MSC Huronia Triathlon | 1500m - 40k - 10k | 1:58:48 | 1st |
| July 13, 2013 | MSC Gravenhurst Triathlon | 1500m - 40k - 10k | 1:59:02 | 1st |
| July 21, 2013 | Canadian AG Nat.Tri Champs | 1500m - 40k - 10k | 1:50:54 | 1st |
| Aug 11th 2013 | Windsor Triathlon | 800m - 32k - 6k | 1:14:40 | 1st |
| Sept 8th 2013 | Muskoka Ironman 70.3 | 2k - 94k -21.1k | 4:01:20 | 1st |
References
- "Biography". Lionel Sanders – Triathlete. Archived from the original on 15 October 2017. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
- "Ironman Mont Tremblant Training Block Part 1". Lionel Sanders – Triathlete. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
- "2017 Ironman World Championship Results". triathlonamagazine.ca. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
- "2014 Ironman 70.3 World Championships Results". Ironman.com. Archived from the original on 11 April 2015. Retrieved 13 April 2015.
- "2013 Muskoka 70.3 Results". Ironman.com. Retrieved 13 April 2015.
- "Mac cross country finishes strong at CIS championships". The Silhouette. Retrieved 13 April 2015.
- "Ironman Website". Ironman.com. Retrieved 13 April 2015.
- Hichens, Liz (1 November 2014). "Sanders, Van Vlerken Win Shortened Ironman Florida". Triathlete. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
- Hichens, Liz (28 May 2017). "Tim Don Breaks Ironman World Record in Brazil". Triathlete. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
- "Biography". Lionel Sanders – Triathlete. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
- Hichens, Lziz (17 October 2017). "Patrick Lange Breaks Course Record to Earn First Ironman World Title". Triathlete.com. Retrieved 22 October 2017.
- "About Lionel Sanders". lsanderstri.com. Retrieved 13 April 2015.
- "2010 Ironman Louiseville Results". Ironman.com. Retrieved 13 April 2015.
- "The near-fatal agony, ecstasy of Mac runner, aspiring Olympian". TheSpec.com. Retrieved 13 April 2015.