Tenby’s legacy: Why Ironman Wales stands alone

If you were to design the perfect triathlon course, what would it look like?

Perhaps a sea swim, rather than a reedy river or lake. A scenic, largely traffic-free bike course with a tunnel of spectators on the occasional punchy climb. A run course lined with support to help overcome the demons of the final hours, and a welcoming finish chute filled with cheers and pumping tunes.

It would need some kind of distinct flavour and appeal, ideally on an accessible footprint so that the logistics of registering, racking, recovering, and departing don’t add additional stress for you or your support crew.

Through a wider lens, it would include a positive impact on the local economy, be embraced by residents and businesses, and garner even more support from curious locals to create a culture that anticipates – rather than dreads – the next edition. How often do all these factors come together?

Not as often as we might think, which is why it’s an environment to be cherished when it does. Challenge has Roth, a small town in Bavaria that becomes a triathlon mecca for one week every July; World Triathlon has Hamburg – more of a city crit circuit – that is known to draw big crowds.

Supertri is finding that Toulouse in southern France, the venue for its recent grand final, is producing a similar vibe. Ironman has Hawaii, of course, the most sought-after triathlon location in the world, and other gold standard events such as Frankfurt, Kalmar or Nice.

And it also has little old Tenby, which in many ways shouldn’t work, but does – and arguably better than anywhere else.

Held in autumn at the mercy of changeable weather (and sometimes jellyfish), its timing in close proximity to world championships means it will never attract the very best professionals.

It’s devoid of broadcast footage marketing its wares and is notoriously tough rendering times almost immaterial, except for the dreaded cut-offs which loom over athletes who on other courses wouldn’t give them a second thought.

Whereas in other events this would be seen as off-putting, at Ironman Wales, it just adds to the challenge. The Pembrokeshire seaside resort is a unicorn as a host.

The swim on its North Beach is orientated so it is sheltered enough to have a low risk of cancellation, with a unique 1km run through lined streets to transition.

The flagship ascent from Saundersfoot, tackled twice, is close enough to town for supporters to walk to, and it’s backed up by a run that, when the bulk of the 2,000-strong field are coming through, has barely a quiet spot on the entire course.

It’s been running for 15 years and for many – including former professional rugby player, Shane Williams – “slaying the dragon” has become an annual fix.

This year, Wales’ record try scorer reflected how the support improves every time. It might not be possible to completely replace the feeling evoked by the roar of 75,000 passionate fans in the Principality Stadium, but it’s telling that Williams turns to this event to try.

Free 6-month Ironman base training plan