Ironman Wales’ Race Director has described Tenby as a ‘truly special’ location to host a world-renowned race, following another spectacular sporting event on Sunday.
Sunday saw age group athletes Pete Dyson (Great Britain) and Anna Lawson (Great Britain) claim victory with times of 09:34:24 and 10:35:30 respectively.
Record crowds of spectators lined the beach, the sea wall and the Tenby streets from the early hours of the morning, ready to catch a glimpse of the spectacular swim start.
The final Ironman race in the UK this season kicked off with a one of the most goosebump inducing and electric swim starts in the global Ironman calendar.
Athletes lined up along the zig zigs at North Beach as the Welsh National anthem bellowed out into the sea.
Fire, smoke cannons and fireworks lined the athlete run into the water as the race got underway.
The 2.4-mile swim course with an Aussie exit was followed by the infamous pink bag run up the zig zags.
The two-loop 112-mile bike course then takes athletes through the scenic countryside of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, followed by the four-loop 26.2-mile run course which ends along the Esplanade with thousands of spectators willing athletes home.
The run into the finish line is a feeling like no other.
Crossing the line first was age group athlete Pete Dyson, who finished with a time of 09:34:24.
Pete said: “It was really really good! Such a hard course. Wales is amazing, a real bucket list race. It lived up to everything I’d heard and more.”
The first female athlete across the line was age group athlete Anna Lawson, who finished with a time of 10:35:30. Anna when speaking about catching the leading female, said: “I didn’t know if she was going to push when I went past, so I was like please don’t push more, she was so strong!”.
Other notable athletes racing included ex Welsh rugby pro Shane Williams who completed yet another edition of Ironman Wales with a time of 11:31:01, whilst Kellie Branagan ‘faced the dragon’ for the first time with a time of 13:34:44.
The final finish line moment was a special one as Laura Whitaker was welcomed home by a packed finish line of volunteers as her family presented her with her medal for her very first Ironman
Ironman Wales Race Director Rebecca Sutherland added: “We absolutely love racing in Wales and Tenby is a truly special location to host a world-renowned race like IronmanWales!
“Today had the biggest crowds we’ve seen down at North Beach for the start, as thousands of spectators cheered on their athletes. The support continued long into the night with the finish line party helping people down the red carpet. Bring on next year!”
Ironman Wales will return on Sunday, September 21 next year. General entries open on Thursday, September 26.