Sport

Thousands turn out to support Tenby’s 11th IRONMAN Wales

Tenby played host to the 11th edition of the sold-out IRONMAN
Wales on Sunday, September 3, 2023. The day saw PRO triathlete Nikki Bartlett (Great Britain) claim
victory with a time of 09:52:09.

Published

4 weeks ago

4th September 2023

Editor

The final IRONMAN race in Wales this season kicked off in Tenby 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.

As a special surprise athletes were joined by the Army Red Devils as they skydived into the sea before the race began. A true spectacle added to an already impressive swim start. Fire, smoke cannons and fireworks lined the athlete run into the water as the race got underway.

***Army Red Devils drop in on IRONMAN Wales in Tenby***
*(Image: Huw Fairclough for IRONMAN UK)*

The 2.4-mile swim course with an Aussie exit, where the morning water temperature reading was 18.3 degrees Celsius, was then followed by the infamous pink bag run up the zig zags.

At the only race in the world where athletes are allowed to put on their running trainers to head up the 1km run to transition, it’s a true spectacle.

Swimmers enter the water at Tenby for the first stage of IRONMAN WALES — ***Swimmers enter a*****nd exit** ***the water at Tenby for the first stage of IRONMAN WALES***
*(Image: Huw Fairclough for IRONMAN UK)*

Swimmers enter the water at Tenby for the first stage of IRONMAN WALES (Image: Huw Fairclough for IRONMAN UK) — ***Swimmers enter and exit the water at Tenby for the first stage of IRONMAN WALES***
*(Image: Huw Fairclough for IRONMAN UK)*

Tri clubs gathered on the beach ahead of IRONMAN Wales (Image: Huw Fairclough for IRONMAN UK) — ***Tri clubs gathered on the beach ahead of IRONMAN Wales***
*(Image: Huw Fairclough for IRONMAN UK)*

***IRONMAN Swimmers racing towards the water.***
*(Image: Huw Fairclough for IRONMAN UK)*

***IRONMAN Swimmers in Tenby***
*(Image: Huw Fairclough for IRONMAN UK)*

***IRONMAN Swimmers entering the water at Tenby***
*(Photo by Huw Fairclough for IRONMAN UK)*

***One of the IRONMAN competitors surrounded by crowds on Tenby beach***
*(Image:Huw Fairclough for IRONMAN UK)*

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 in to the finish line is a feeling like no other.

***Alexander Milne on the bike stage***
*(Image: Huw Fairclough for IRONMAN UK)*

***Athletes surrounded by spectators on the cycle element of the route***
*(Image: Huw Fairclough for IRONMAN UK)*

Cycling up Tenby's hills — ***Cycling up Tenby’s hills***
*(Image: Huw Fairclough for IRONMAN UK)*

***Nikki Bartlett on the cycle element of the race***
*(Image: Huw Fairclough for IRONMAN UK)*

Crowds line the streets to support the IRONMAN athletes as they cycle through Pembrokeshire's stunning countryside. — ***Crowds line the streets to support the IRONMAN athletes as they cycle through Pembrokeshire’s stunning countryside.***
*(Image: Huw Fairclough for IRONMAN UK)*

***The final running leg of the epic IRONMAN Wales course through the streets of Tenby***
(Image: Huw Fairclough for IRONMAN UK)

Running alongside Tenby's iconic town walls — ***Running alongside Tenby’s iconic town walls***
*(Image: Huw Fairclough for IRONMAN UK)*

Supporters cheer the runners as they make their way through Tenby's streets — ***Supporters cheer the runners as they make their way through Tenby’s streets***
*(Image: Huw Fairclough for IRONMAN UK)*

***Athletes race IRONMAN Wales in Tenby.***
*(Image: Huw Fairclough for IRONMAN UK)*

Crossing the line first was age group athlete Alexander Milne (Great Britain), who finished with a time of 09:39:45.

Alexander said: “Finally I get an overall win, you can’t ask for anymore! Massive shoutout
to everyone in Tenby, all around the course, you made it so much easier than it could’ve been.”

He continued: “I was secretly hoping for a really hard one! I’ll have to come back next year.”

The PRO female race concluded with fan favourite Nikki Bartlett crossing the line for her first victory at IRONMAN Wales, who finished with a time of 09:52:09.

Nikki said: “You guys are amazing! This place is incredible, this is probably one of the best days of my life. It means a lot, it’s my first win in the UK on home soil.”

She continued: “What a day, what a place, the people make this what it is. It’s the best race in the world!”