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Ironman preview: a spine-tingling Welsh National Anthem to kick-off the event
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Ironman Wales fever has reached Tenby once again, with thousands of athletes descending on Pembrokeshire ahead of the weekend, ready to ‘face the dragon’ for the spectacular sporting event on Sunday.
Preceding the race start at 7.30am will no doubt be another moment that sends shivers down the spine, when Ironman competitors stand at the ready on Tenby’s iconic North Beach for the swim, along with thousands of spectators, absorbing a rousing ‘Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau’ to kick-off the event – which is a spectacle in itself!
Once the 2.3mile swim gets underway, just over 2,800 athletes that have registered for 2024, will be hoping to make it onto the next stage once out of the water, to make the long run up the ‘zig zag’ stairs and into transition, which is a once in a lifetime experience for any triathlete, before taking on a 112mile bike ride around the county’s coastal areas and countryside.
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The course is certainly a challenging one, with Saundersfoot’s Heartbreak Hill to take in along the way!
The gruelling 26.2mile marathon run will finish the triathlon, with the predicted last finisher time for the line along the Esplanade at around 1am this year.
Tenby’s Mayor, Cllr Dai Morgan will be on hand at the finish line congratulating finishers and giving out their medals as they complete the challenge.
Ironman Wales 2022
Participants entering the sea at North Beach (Pic. Gareth Davies Photography)
However, the weather forecast for the event, is looking a tad testing, with this week’s sunny spell due to come to an abrupt end on Friday – with forecasters issuing two warnings for thunderstorms and heavy showers.
The Met Office has issued two yellow warnings for Friday, between midday and 8pm and Saturday from 1am, for thunderstorms and heavy rain, which could cause some disruption.
Sunday will see the weather mostly unsettled, with heavy, possibly thundery showers and longer spells of rain at times, mixed with sunnier intervals – feeling warm and humid.
The event organisers have listed some notable names due to take part this year, including former professional Welsh and British Lions rugby star Shane Williams, who is looking to complete another edition of Ironman Wales to add to his collection.
Shane Williams
Shane Williams taking part in a previous Ironman (Observer pic)
Another former professional rugby player taking part, ex-Llanelli Scarlets and Bordeaux-Bègles‘ Ricky Davies – has only learned to swim in the past 12 months to accomplish his goal of becoming an Ironman!
Laura Whitaker who was diagnosed with Ushers Syndrome type 2 when she was 19, which means she is hard of hearing and blind – is also aiming to complete her first ever Ironman triathlon having completed Ironman 70.3 Staffordshire last year.
Social media influencer Kellie Branagan who promotes female triathlon racing is aiming to take on Ironman Wales for the first time too, having completed Ironman UK in 2023.
Steve Owen is an above knee amputee, after sustaining injuries in Afghanistan. He has done a lot that’s tested his physical ability, but this will be the pinnacle of all challenges.
Ironman Wales
The course is challenging with Saundersfoot’s Heartbreak Hill to take in. (Pic. Gareth Davies Photography)
There will be full and partial road closures in and around the south of the County for the event on September 22; with restrictions also in place in Tenby town centre on the Saturday when the Ironkids event takes place.
Full information outlining road closures and alternative routes available across the course is available on the Ironman website at: www.ironman.com/im-wales-course to help residents plan their travel ahead of the event.
The A40 and A477 will remain open and are unaffected to facilitate access east-west throughout the event. Emergency services will maintain full access.
Ironman Wales
The gruelling 26.2mile marathon run will finish the triathlon, (Observer pic)
Due to the road closure it will not be possible for the 387/8 (Coastal Cruiser) bus service to operate on September 22.
A park and ride shuttle bus will be running on Saturday and Sunday from Carew Airfield and Saundersfoot.
If you have any Ironman Wales access questions, please contact: wales@ironmanroadaccess.com or call 03330 11 66 00.
