Lionel Sanders Goes Back-to-Back at Ironman 70.3 Oceanside 🔥

Oceanside 70.3 brought the heat—and Lionel Sanders brought the fire.

After diving into the chilly harbor and exiting the swim in 31st place with a 26:00 split, Lionel Sanders launched a comeback for the ages. He absolutely hammered the bike through Camp Pendleton, laying down the 2nd fastest split of the day at 2:05:37, then kept pushing through the palm-lined run course with a blazing 1:11:28—the 3rd fastest run of the day.

With a final time of 3:47:01, Lionel not only took the win but defended his Oceanside title, becoming the back-to-back champion at one of the most iconic races on the circuit. From 3.5 minutes back out of the water to 41 seconds ahead at the finish line, it was a masterclass in grit, strategy, and raw power—everything that defines what it means to Go Beyond.

H2O Audio on Site: Gear, Giveaways, and Race-Day Hype

The H2O Audio team was proud to be on the ground at the Ironman Village Expo all weekend—connecting with athletes, demoing gear, and cheering on the field. And the highlight? A Friday scavenger hunt hosted by Lionel himself on his social channels. Fans followed clues around the expo for a chance to win H2O Audio gear.

We loved seeing the triathlon community come together to celebrate not just elite performance, but the joy and energy that make race weekends so special.

Go Beyond with H2O Audio

From the first stroke to the final sprint, we were thrilled to support Lionel through every moment of his Oceanside journey. His performance was a reminder of what’s possible when you push your limits and show up with purpose.

Congratulations, Lionel—and thank you to everyone who came out to the booth, joined the giveaway, and helped make the weekend unforgettable.

What is in Lionel's Training Bag

When it comes to gear, Lionel keeps it simple and dialed. For all things swim, outdoor bike, and run, he trains with the H2O Audio TRI 2 Pro—our fully waterproof, bone conduction headphones with 8GB of memory, Bluetooth connectivity, and PLAYLIST+ built to handle any element. Indoors, whether he’s grinding on Zwift or hitting the treadmill, Lionel switches to the RIPT Ultra—our over-the-ear, 100% sweatproof headphones featuring Active Noise Cancellation, interchangeable cushions, and a massive 50-hour battery life. Whether it’s pushing watts or chasing pace, he’s got the right tool for every session.

Social: Make sure to follow Lionel on his instagram, Youtube

Lionel interview