When it comes to endurance racing, few events carry the scale and atmosphere of the Long Course Weekend. Held in Belgium, this three-day festival of triathlon challenges athletes across swim, bike and run in full-distance events. For LIOS Ambassador Nat Lawrence, it was a weekend that not only tested her endurance, but also underlined her dominance in the sport.
Nat stormed to victory in the female category by a commanding 55 minutes and took second overall across the entire field, including the men. This wasn’t her first taste of success at LCW – she has now won the event four times, adding Belgium to her previous victories in Wales (twice) and Yorkshire.
Nat powering through the 182km bike leg on the LIOS Javelin, passing the historic Tyne Cot Cemetery.
A Coach and Athlete at the Top of Her Game
Alongside being a fierce competitor, Nat is also a dedicated endurance coach, working with athletes of all abilities to help them achieve their goals. Her ability to balance coaching with her own elite-level racing is a testament to her discipline and deep knowledge of endurance sport.
Nat’s name was highlighted bold on the entry list board as a previous winner.
The Swim - Cold & Fast
The opening swim in Belgium tested athletes with salt water and a chilly 15.5°C temperature. Mandatory wetsuits were welcome and Nat showed her class by exiting the water as the first female in 55 minutes and 30 seconds over the 3800m distance. Considering swimming is the discipline she spends the least time training for, it was an early statement of intent.
Nat playing it cool prior to the swim start.
The Bike - The LIOS Javelin in its Element
The 182km bike course was fast, flat, and scenic, rolling through historic wartime monuments and smooth Belgian roads. For Nat, it was the perfect chance to unleash the LIOS Javelin triathlon bike – a machine designed for speed, precision, and efficiency.
Equipped with a new 56-tooth front ring, the Javelin proved its versatility: devouring the flats yet still tackling the notorious 16% cobbled climb. “I had loads of comments from men and women on how beautiful the Javelin was,” Nat shared. Even with three relaxed feed stops, she recorded a sub-5h50 time, showing the Javelin’s balance of comfort and speed over long distance.
At LIOS, every Javelin is custom-fitted using Retül 3D motion capture, hand-built to exacting standards and engineered for peak performance. Nat’s result highlights not just her talent, but also what the right equipment can deliver when every watt counts.
Pre-race focus - Nat with her LIOS Javelin, ready for the bike leg.
The Run - Strong, Consistent, Relentless
The final marathon saw Nat execute a controlled, consistent pace over a flat, wind-free course. With hydration and fuelling dialled in, she kept her rhythm and pushed through the distance with determination. The result: a marathon that sealed her overall victory in emphatic style.
Staying strong on the marathon - Nat maintaining pace on the Belgian roads.
The Finish Line - A Champion Again
Crossing the finish line to roaring crowds, Nat described it as the “best feeling ever” – not just for completing a marathon, but for knowing she had secured the title and cemented her place in LCW history.
Victory sealed - Nat crossing the finish line to win Long Course Weekend Belgium.
Four-time champion - Nat signals her fourth Long Course Weekend title as she crosses the line.
A True LIOS Ambassador
At LIOS, we are proud to support athletes like Nat, who embody resilience, commitment and passion. Her victory demonstrates not only what is possible with the LIOS Javelin tri bike, but also the strength of the community we are building around endurance sport.
Her fourth LCW title is not just a measure of athletic dominance, but also a reflection of the resilience and knowledge she shares with her coaching athletes.
Champion mindset - Nat with her hard-earned medals, a four-time Long Course Weekend winner and respected endurance coach.
For those inspired by her achievement, Nat also offers coaching to endurance athletes, providing expertise shaped by her own world-class performances.
