Lauren Steadman Won Bronze at World Championships
The paratriathlete secured a podium finish in Pontevedra, Spain, with a total race time of 1:10:29.
Updated on Sept. 27, 2026 in Swimming
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Lauren Steadman earned a bronze medal in the Paratriathlon PTS5 category at the World Championships in Pontevedra, Spain. She recorded a total race time of 1:10:29, finishing just 29 seconds behind silver medalist Erica Da Rosa Rodrigues.
Why it matters
The result adds to a storied career for Steadman, who has secured 54 podium finishes in 58 career starts since 2011. The event also highlighted broader club achievements, including a successful solo English Channel swim by fellow PACTRAC member Laura Hardy.
Steadman clocked splits of 11:34 for the swim, 39:25 for the 20km bike, and 19:30 for the 5k run. Grace Norman secured the gold medal in the competition.
The players
Lauren Steadman
She is a veteran paratriathlete who has maintained a high level of success with 54 podium finishes since her career began in 2011.
Grace Norman
She is an elite paratriathlete who finished ahead of the field to claim the gold medal in the PTS5 category.
Erica Da Rosa Rodrigues
She is a competitive paratriathlete who secured the silver medal in the race by finishing 29 seconds ahead of Steadman.
Laura Hardy
She is a PACTRAC member who successfully completed a solo crossing of the English Channel in 15:46 hours.
PACTRAC
This is a triathlon club that saw multiple members compete in international events, including the World Championships and English Channel swims.
The details
Steadman's performance contributed to a successful showing for PACTRAC athletes who participated in the age group events. During the same period, club member Laura Hardy became the sixth person from the group to complete a solo English Channel swim with a time of 15:46 hours.
Timeline
Steadman's career began in 2011.
The World Championships race took place on Sunday, September 20, 2026.
Laura Hardy set off for her English Channel swim at 8pm.
Season Trajectory
Steadman's bronze medal performance reinforces her standing as a consistent threat in the elite paratriathlon circuit. This result keeps her among the top-tier competitors as the sport continues to see shifts in the global podium hierarchy.
Steadman's 1:10:29 finish time provides a new benchmark for her performance in the PTS5 category during this championship cycle. Her continued podium frequency confirms her status as a reliable top-three finisher in international paratriathlon events.
The takeaway
Consistent podium success in elite paratriathlon often stems from years of disciplined training and split-time optimization. Athletes looking to mirror these results should focus on granular improvements in transition phases and segment speed.
Further reading
For more news on international racing results, visit our Swimming section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Peterborough Today.
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