THOUSANDS PACK TENBY FOR IRONMAN
Tens of thousands of people lined the streets and rural roads of Pembrokeshire as one of the most gruelling tests in endurance sport was staged in the county.
Competitors from all around the world travelled to Tenby for the annual Ironman triathlon, in which athletes complete a 2.1 mile swim, a 112-mile cycle ride followed by a marathon.
Austria’s Cameron Wurf, a professional triathlete and road cyclist who used to compete for the Cannondale team, was the first man home in just over nine hours and seven minutes.
He was followed by Yorkshire’s Philip Graves and Germany’s Christian Kramer.
The first women to complete the course were all Brits, led by Lucy Gossange, followed by Parys Edwards and Kate Comber.
Lucy Gossange competed the course in 10 hours and 11 minutes.
It is the second time the Cambridgebased cancer doctor has won in Wales, following her win in 2013.
Cardiff-based triathlete Laura Clements finished 13th in the women’s race in a time of 12 hours and 17 minutes.
The long cycle route took competitors on a beautiful route throughout south Pembrokeshire, visiting Angle, Stackpole, Pembroke, Lamphey, Manorbier, Carew, Narberth and Saundersfood.
The marathon route involves a four lap hilly circuit taking runners around Tenby.
Ironman presenter Jo Murphy described the atmosphere as “spectacular”.
“Spectators were five deep trying to get a view from the town. It was spine tingling stuff,” she told the Milford Mercury.
“When the Welsh national anthem was played it was a special moment.”
And she said her job was made easier by the nature of the crowd.
“It was my first time leading the commentary and I hope it lived up to expectation.
“But the people of Tenby just embrace this event all week long. They are awesome.”