Tenby is set to welcome back Ironman Wales this weekend, as more than 2,700 competitors line up alongside the female professional triathletes on North Beach for the 140.6 mile triathlon.
Widely regarded as one of the toughest races of its kind in the world, the course in west Wales challenges athletes with a choppy sea swim, more than 2,500m of elevation on the bike, and a marathon that is anything but flat.
The race begins with 2.4mile swim, followed by a gruelling uphill transition via the Zig-Zag and through Tenby town to the bike racks.
From there, athletes will trade goggles and wetsuits for cleats and aero helmets as they tackle a 112 mile bike course across Pembrokeshire, before lacing up their trainers for a 26.2 mile marathon.
The race slogan “Face the Dragon” is inspired by the rugged coastline and unpredictable weather that forces 100s of athletes to withdraw each year.
Race director Rebecca Sutherland said the event “is the jewel in the crown of our UK race season”.
She added: “The Welsh spectator support throughout Tenby and Pembrokeshire is always incredible to witness. Athletes get to experience a challenging course with one of the best atmospheres on earth.”
Those who make it to the finish line will be rewarded with a trip up the infamous red carpet. First-timers have the chance to ring the bell to mark their achievement, before hearing the four words every endurance athlete longs for: “You are an Ironman!”
For the professional field, share of the $50,000 prize pot and qualification for the 2026 Ironman World Championships are on the line.
Welsh sporting stars are also set to join the challenge with former British and Irish Lions men’s wing Shane Williams and former Wales women’s rugby international Sioned Harries among them.
Williams, who will be racing in Tenby for the seventh time, told BBC Sport: “It’s very infectious, this race. It fills the void from from the rugby and I just love the whole competition side of keeping fit mentally and physically.”
Former Ireland rugby league and Leeds Rhinos player turned endurance athlete Luke Ambler is also taking part, alongside his close friend Jonny Mason.
Ambler is attempting to complete every UK full-distance and 70.3 Ironman in a single year. His and Mason’s campaign, Mission Possible, concludes in Tenby in support of Andysmanclub, a mental health charity that aims to break stigma, spark conversation, and encourage men to talk.
The race begins at 07:30 BST on Sunday, 21 September with the female professionals first into the water, followed by a rolling start for all age-group athletes.
Female professional start list
• Nikki Bartlett (GBR)
• Jeanne Collogne (FRA)
• Ruth Astle (GBR)
• Mena Suter (CHE)
• Lydia Dant (GBR)
• Shiva Leisner (DNK)
• Rosie Wild (GBR)
• Franziska Hofmann (DEU)
• Nikita Paskiewicz (FRA)
• Claire Weller (GBR)
• Kaja Bergwitz-Larsen (NOR)
• Tara Rooney (USA)
• Katie Phipkin (GBR)
• Maja Indermühle (CHE)
