IRONMAN Wales
Tenby, United Kingdom · September · IRONMAN
Why people love it
- Electric crowds all day, compared favourably to Challenge Roth
- North Beach start with anthem, fireworks and parachute drop
- Compact event with everything in Tenby
- Tough course: about 2,450 m (8,040 ft) bike climbing, 500 m (1,640 ft) on the run
Watch out for
- Not a PB course; 2024 winners finished in 9:34 and 10:35
- Cold sea of 15-18 °C (59-64 °F) with chop and strong tides
- Rain and wind are common; air 14-20 °C (57-68 °F)
- Combined swim and bike cutoff
- Few rooms and the race sells out; Cardiff airport is about 140 km (87 mi) away
Race
How racers feel about it, how well it is run, and how it treats a first timer. Counts for 27% of the overall score.
- Racer satisfactionBucket list4.8
Reviewers rate it 4.75/5 across 36 reviews, with repeated claims of the best crowd of any Ironman. · High confidence
- OrganizationWell run4.1
Staff and logistics score very well, but the 2023 swim ran against the tide and special-needs bags ran short. · Medium confidence
- First timer friendlyDemanding1.8
One of the hardest fulls, with a combined swim and bike cutoff and changeable weather; compact logistics and big crowds help. · Medium confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- PR potentialSlow1.5
Not a PB course: about 2,450 m (8,040 ft) of bike climbing, and 2024 winners finished in 9:34 and 10:35. · High confidence
- Course easeExtreme1.4
Bike climbing of 2,100-2,700 m (6,900-8,860 ft), 17% pitches, a cold tidal sea and a hilly run; often called among the toughest. · High confidence
Swim
Wetsuit odds, water temperature, calm, and the experience of the start. Counts for 15% of the overall score.
- Wetsuit legalAlmost always4.9
Water is typically 15-18 °C (59-64 °F), well under the 24.5 °C (76.1 °F) wetsuit limit. · Medium confidence
- Water temperatureAcceptable2.9
Water of 15-18 °C (59-64 °F) is cold; a good wetsuit and neoprene cap are worth packing. · Medium confidence
- Calm waterSome chop2.5
Calm in 2013 and 2019, but 2022 was the choppiest sea one athlete had seen; Atlantic swell and tide are always a factor. · Medium confidence
- Swim easeHard2.3
Strong tidal current and a mass beach start; in 2023 a reversed course pushed some swimmers about 1,280 m (1,400 yd) off line. · Medium confidence
- Swim experienceSuperb4.6
A North Beach start with anthem, fireworks and parachute drop; one reviewer called it the most spectacular swim of any Ironman. · Medium confidence
Bike
Road surface, closures, scenery and wind. Counts for 19% of the overall score.
- Road surfaceMixed2.8
Rural lanes that get slick when wet; few athletes comment directly on surface quality. · Low confidence
- Road closuresMostly closed3.7
Roads are mostly closed, though a 2019 crash at New Hedges followed congestion on the course. · Medium confidence
- Bike scenerySpectacular4.5
The route runs through Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, which athletes describe as pretty and scenic. · Medium confidence
- WindSome wind2.7
A coastal route with volatile weather, though few athletes report specific wind problems. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Bike speedSlow1.5
Short, steep hills (17% pitches, about 1.6 km (1 mi) / 1 mi Heartbreak Hill) and technical descents make it widely described as slow. · High confidence
- Bike flatnessMountainous1.3
Sources report 2,095-2,685 m (6,870-8,810 ft) of climbing, most near 2,450 m (8,040 ft), among the hilliest bikes in the sport. · High confidence
- Bike simplicityTechnical1.5
Steep, winding descents, narrow lanes and wet-weather braking are cited again and again. · Medium confidence
Run
Crowds, aid stations, conditions underfoot and scenery. Counts for 13% of the overall score.
- Crowd supportElectric4.9
Multiple reviewers call it the best crowd of any Ironman, rivalling Challenge Roth; the town stays lively into the night. · High confidence
- Aid stationsGood3.9
Volunteers are excellent and 2019 food variety was good, though 2022 athletes criticised the snack choice. · Medium confidence
- Run sceneryBeautiful4.1
The run covers the seafront, sea wall and old walled town. · Low confidence
- Run conditionsHard2.1
Hilly, often wet and poorly lit on late laps with little shade; cool temperatures help. · Medium confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Run flatnessHilly1.8
About 500 m (1,640 ft) of climbing over four laps, with almost no flat running. · Medium confidence
Conditions
Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 15% of the overall score.
- Air temperaturePleasant3.9
Typical air is 14-20 °C (57-68 °F), cool and often rainy, a little below ideal. · Medium confidence
- Weather reliabilityUnsettled2.2
Rain hit in 2013 and 2022, wind and chop vary, and 2019 was calm. · Medium confidence
- Venue beautyStunning4.6
A medieval harbour town on the Pembrokeshire coast. · Medium confidence
- Spectator friendlySee them often4.7
The whole event is in Tenby, with four run loops past the beach, sea wall and esplanade; 2024 drew record crowds. · High confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Low altitudeSea level5.0
Sea level (0 m (0 ft) / 0 ft). · High confidence
Stay and travel
Hotels, walkability, getting there, and the town around the race. Counts for 11% of the overall score.
- Hotel availabilitySells out early2.0
A small resort that sells out, so athletes often need to book packages early. · Medium confidence
- Hotel valuePricey2.3
Expect race-week premiums; little direct pricing data is available. · Low confidence
- WalkabilityWalk to everything4.7
Everything is in Tenby, and hotels near the start are an easy walk. · Medium confidence
- Travel easeAwkward2.4
Remote west Wales: Cardiff airport is about 140 km (87 mi) away, though it is an easy drive from southern England. · Low confidence
- LogisticsSimple3.9
Expo, briefing, transitions and finish are all in Tenby, with a 1 km (0.6 mi) run from the beach to T1. · Medium confidence
- Town and foodGood4.0
Pubs, hotels and seaside restaurants; few athletes have written about the food in detail. · Low confidence
Key facts
- Location
- Tenby, Pembrokeshire, Wales, United Kingdom
- Typical month
- September
- Latest or next date
- 19 September 2027
- Organiser
- IRONMAN
- Field size
- About 2,400 athletes
- First held
- 2011
- Distances
- 3.8 km (2.4 mi) swim, 180 km (112 mi) bike, 42.2 km (26.2 mi) run
- Cutoffs
- Bike Combined swim+bike cutoff applies (220 Triathlon); exact time not verified, Finish 17:00 (standard IRONMAN limit, not re-verified)
- Swim venue
- North Beach, Tenby (Carmarthen Bay) (ocean)
- Water temperature
- 15–18 °C (59–64 °F)
- Wetsuit
- Legal
- Swim start
- mass
- Swim laps
- 2
- Bike climbing
- 2,450 m (8,040 ft)
- Bike laps
- 2
- Key climbs
- Heartbreak Hill (~1 mile, ~17% pitch); New Hedges (congestion/crash point)
- Run climbing
- 500 m (1,640 ft)
- Run laps
- 4
- Run shade
- Little; seafront and town
- Air temperature
- 14–20 °C (57–68 °F)
- Humidity
- Damp maritime
- Altitude
- 0 m (0 ft)
- Nearest airport
- Cardiff (CWL) per RaceRaves
- Where to stay
- Tenby town centre, South Beach / Esplanade, Saundersfoot
- Booking
- Race sells out months ahead; hotel packages via Nirvana after sell-out in 2013; Tenby is a small resort so rooms and B&Bs go quickly.
What racers and reviewers say
- RaceCheck (Swanscity J.)Raced 2023 · aggregator · Mixed
Rated 4.2 despite a major complaint: the swim direction was reversed against the tide with no warning in the safety briefing, and he drifted roughly 1,400 yards (1,280 m (4,200 ft)) off line and took 1h40 for lap two. Felt the change made the swim less safe.
- RaceCheck (Rob A.)Raced 2022 · aggregator · Positive
Rated 4.9. Chop built through the swim; bike about 2,450 m (8,040 ft) of climbing; run about 500 m (1,640 ft). Amazing crowds even when rain arrived. Brutal but recommended for a serious challenge.
- RaceCheck (James P.)Raced 2022 · aggregator · Positive
Rated 4.8. Called it the choppiest sea he has swum in and the bike tougher because of weather. Atmosphere unlike any other, but aid stations offered little variety and special-needs bags sold out by Saturday.
- RaceCheck (Matthew D.)Raced 2022 · aggregator · Positive
Rated 4.8. Rough swim, very hilly bike and hilly run, but huge support all day even in the rain. Tough course, well recommended.
- RaceCheck (Gaz P.)Raced 2019 · aggregator · Positive
Rated 4.9. Challenging sea swim, very tough hilly bike and a brutal rolling run; whole town turns out and stays active into the night. Clear signage, excellent volunteers; notes the ~1 km (0.6 mi) run from beach to T1.
Show 9 more
- RaceCheck (Christopher J.)Raced 2019 · aggregator · Positive
Rated 4.6. Calm sea but slower than planned. Congestion at New Hedges on the bike caused a crash and he wants barriers added; walked the run hills afterwards. Incredible support and praised volunteers; faster transition than previous year.
- RaceCheck (Damien M.)Raced 2019 · aggregator · Positive
Rated 4.8. Hard swim with current in calm sunrise conditions, hard hills, intense crowds, good aid (crackers, Doritos) and electric atmosphere from Friday on. Easy registration and simple racking.
- Jim Graham, Mid Sussex Tri ClubRaced 2013 · blog · Positive
Calm, fairly warm bay swim; scenic bike on mostly closed roads that was hilly and technical, with rain and a cold ride in a cape; four-lap run with almost no flat. Crowds were lively past pubs and hotels, compared favourably to Roth. Booked through Nirvana after the race sold out, hotel close to start, and everything sat in one place in Tenby.
“almost as strong crowd support as Challenge Roth”
- Roger Smith, Mid Sussex Tri ClubRaced 2016 · blog · Positive
Club report from 2016 with seven members racing. Calls North Beach perhaps the most spectacular swim location of any Ironman, the bike hard and technical but pretty, the run very hard. Members rated the crowd as the best of any Ironman and one called it the toughest he had done.
- Ironman For Beginners (Stephen James)Raced 2017 · blog · Mixed
Pre-race training blog for 2017. Puts bike climbing near 2,095 m (6,870 ft) of relentless short, steep hills with technical descents, a cold exposed sea swim with Atlantic swell and strong tides, and a hilly run. Expects Welsh crowds to be extraordinary; argues Wales and Lanzarote rate tougher than Kona.
- Rhiannon O'Connor (race coverage)Raced 2013 · blog · Positive
Age-group win and Kona slot (declined). Rain from a minute after the start, a sheltered but distant north beach swim, a very hilly bike (about 2,640 m (8,660 ft) / 8,660 ft on one rider's device, a 17% pitch and mile-long (1.6 km (1 mi)) Heartbreak Hill), dark narrow descents and a four-lap run lit poorly at night. Tenby crowds lifted her spirits.
- Swansea Bay News (2023 report)Raced 2023 · article · Positive
Coverage of the 11th edition (3 Sep 2023, sold out). Morning water 18.3 °C (65 °F), Welsh anthem and Red Devils parachute drop at the swim start, a ~1 km (0.6 mi) run up the zig-zags to T1, two bike loops and four run loops finishing on the esplanade. Pro winner called it the best race in the world.
- Swansea Bay News (2024 report)Raced 2024 · article · Positive
Reports record crowds on North Beach at the 12th edition (22 Sep 2024, ~2,400 starters, sold out), fireworks and anthem at the start and a late-night finish party. Winning times (9:34 and 10:35) underline how hard the course is versus flat full distances.
- Slowtwitch (2019 results)Raced 2019 · article · Positive
Pro report from 2019: course record 8:48:06 (Guilloux) and 9:41:52 (Mitchell), described as tough as nails. Useful for benchmarking that the record is far slower than flat courses.
Sources
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