Dan Lanigan
About Dan
Dan Lanigan – Coach
In 2018, long after a successful boxing career had ended, I decided to return to the only thing I really knew—sport. This time, however, I was too old to lace up the gloves again or dust off my old football boots, so I took on a couple of marathons. After completing two in just four weeks, I was already searching for my next challenge. That’s when I decided on an Ironman. There was just one small problem: I couldn’t swim and didn’t even own a bike.
While on holiday in Spain, I started searching for coaches, and one name kept coming up—Tony Cullen and TRICENTRALUK. After contacting Tony and arranging a meeting, he immediately understood what motivated me. Completing an Ironman wouldn’t be enough for me; he knew I’d want more than just a finish. He was right!
After my first season in triathlon, I completed six triathlons, finishing in the top 10 in all my races.
In my second year, despite the challenges of the global pandemic, I secured my first podium at Alderford Triathlon, finishing 3rd overall and winning my age group. Later that year, I drove to Estonia to race Ironman Tallinn 70.3, where I achieved another podium, finishing 3rd overall and 2nd in my age group, with one of the fastest bike splits of the day.
Year three brought the big one: Ironman UK. It was my first full Ironman and the race that initially inspired me to take up the sport. I finished 8th overall and 3rd in my age group, earning a Kona qualification. When Kona was canceled, I turned my sights to Ironman Mallorca 70.3 and secured another podium, finishing 3rd in my age group.
At the awards ceremony in Mallorca, Tony approached me with a life-changing offer: to join the TRICENTRALUK coaching team. It was a complete shock but something I was ready for. Tony saw something in me—a drive and understanding of what it takes to succeed—that he knew I could pass on to others.
Since joining TRICENTRALUK in 2021, I’ve been fortunate to work with athletes of all levels, helping them achieve their goals, from personal bests to World Championship qualifications. It’s an honor to contribute to a team that values community, inclusion, and excellence.
Drawing on my background in elite sport—including representing GB as a boxer, competing internationally, and playing football for my beloved Manchester City as a schoolboy—I’ve learned from some of the best coaches in the world. I know what it takes to be a great coach and how to inspire athletes to reach their potential.
In 2022, I secured yet another podium, finishing 3rd in my age group at Ironman Lanzarote, making it four in a row. This success is a testament to what we do at TRICENTRALUK. We’ve built a community of athletes at every level, with no egos and a shared commitment to success.
I genuinely love this team and every athlete involved. TRICENTRALUK is going from strength to strength, and our results speak for themselves. Being part of this coaching team is one of my proudest achievements, and I’m dedicated to helping our athletes achieve their dreams.
Achievements
Since I started competing in triathlon I’ve achieved 7 podiums, 5 70.3 world championships and gianed multiple Kona slots.
Alderford Olympic 3rd overall (AG win)
Ironman Tallinn 70.2 3rd overall (2nd AG)
Southport Olympic 4th overall (2nd AG)
Ironman UK 8th overall (3rd AG)
Ironman Mallorca 70.3 (3rd AG)
Ironman Lanzarote 70.3 (3rd AG)
Ironman Kona World Championships - 9:31
Ironman Lanzarote 70.3 (2nd AG)
Challenge Grand Canaria 70.3 (2nd AG)
