Ironman Wales




Location
Pembrokeshire, Wales
Race website
Website link
Time of year held
September
Approx Athlete Numbers
1600
Does it typically sell out?
Yes
One word description for the event
Hilly; immense
Good for first iron distance race?
Only if up for a big challenge

Tips for overseas athletes getting to the venue:
  • Fly into Cardiff or Bristol - you can get there by train or road easily


SWIM

One word description for the swim
Beautiful
Single or multi-lap course?
2 laps, beach exit between laps
Typically wetsuit-legal?
Yes
Swim course description
Ocean, mass start

Swim tips
  • Need a second pair of Shoes to run from Swim Exit to T1
  • Check out the sighting beforehand

BIKE


One word description for the bike
Hilly; bumpy
GPS map link for the bike course
Map link
Video link for the bike course
Ride with GPS
Single or multi-lap course?
combination

Bike Course description
  • Always going up or down, Wisemans Bridge to Saundersfoot, quick succession of short sharp climbs. The last of which is high spectated
  • Constant up and down, very few flat stretches, some technical sections

Bike Course tips
  • Ensure gearing is suitable for climbing.
  • Practise hills.

RUN

One word description for the run
Hilly; well-supported
GPS map link for the run course

Video link for the run course

Single or multi-lap course?
4 laps

Run course description 
  • Quite convoluted through the town itself, again always either going up or down
  • First you go up, then you come down and then you run around the town.

Run course tips
  • Enjoy running through Tenby town centre, lots of busy bars and spectators offering support
  • Pace yourself on the uphill section

SUPPORTERS

Tips for supporters get the most out of watching the event?
  • Climb out of Saundersfoot- this is a hotspot to watch cyclists come through twice, then short walk to the top of run course.
  • Join the party, this race has the most amazing support on both bike and run.
  • You can walk over the cliff path to watch the racers ride up Heartbreak Hill (Saundersfoot) before heading back to Tenby to watch the marathon.

Great places to eat:
  • Quite a few nice independent restaurants in town, but advisable to book due to volume of people
  • There is a wide range of places to eating from fish & chips to fantastic restaurants.

Best bike or tri shop in town:

Best pick for accommodation:
  • Plenty of typical Seaside Bed & Breakfasts - usual hotel search engines throw them up.
  • Camping, caravans, B&Bs, hotels - take your pick - just book asap

Best things for the kids to do:
  • Not sure, but seemed to be plenty of activity places for kids, fun parks etc.
  • Area is big UK Holiday destination so geared up for kids and British weather
  • Four beaches to choose from in Tenby itself.
  • Folly Farm
  • Heatherton
  • Blue Lagoon
  • Oakwood Theme Park

Cool things to do after the race:
  • Eat, drink, join the party.
  • Spend a bit of time in this beautiful country (Wales)

Any warnings that people should know about before entering:
  • You spend the whole day either going up or down, if the wind is up this also applies to the swim.
  • Don't underestimate the bike and run - this is acknowledged as being one of the toughest on the circuit for a reason.

OVERALL

General tips:


Best thing about this race:
  • Atmosphere in the town and that the locals seem to embrace having the even in their town coupled with it being at the tail end of holiday season.
  • Support was great, possibly best had outside of Roth.
  • The support is beyond amazing.

Anything negative about this race:
  • Year I did it the Cola on the run course was sugar / caffeine free, but I believe that’s been sorted now!
  • The weather can be unpredictable


RACE REPORTS AND OTHER VIDEO LINKS SUPPLIED


Have you done this race?
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Thank you to the following people who have contributed content to this page: Adrian Berry; Vicky Jones

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