Swansea will host another weekend of world-class sport this summer and changes to this year's route have been announced following public feedback on last year's event. The sold out Ironman 70.3 event will see athletes swimming, cycling and running across Swansea. The World Triathlon Para Series will also take place on July 15 and temporary road closures can be expected across the weekend.
Although the events were hailed a huge success last year with thousands of athletes and spectators packing the streets to cheer on competitors, some criticised the traffic management system and timings of the events during the school holidays. There were reports of people waiting several hours in gridlock traffic as they tried to get into the city centre, with one woman claiming it took her one and a half hours to get to from Morfa to town. After listening to local feedback, some changes have been made to avoid similar chaos at this year's event.
Where will Ironman take place this year?
The Ironman 70.3 event will kick off with a 1.2 mile swim at the Princess Dock which will be followed by a 56 mile bike course. The cycle route will pass through the Mumbles before athletes cycle out through rural areas of Swansea and head back along Swansea Bay into the city. A transition will take place in the Maritime Quarter before athletes run a 13.1 mile two loop course which heads out of the city centre, past Swansea arena and towards Mumbles before heading back towards the finish line at the Marina. The race will begin at 7am. You can get more Swansea news and other story updates straight to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletters here.
When are the Ironman 70.3 and The World Triathlon Para Series events?
The weekend of sport will take place in the earlier month of July this year after last year's August event clashed with busy school holidays. The Ironman 70.3 race will kick off at 7am on Sunday, July 16 and the 2023 World Triathlon Para Series will be held on Saturday, July 15. The weekend is estimated to be worth around £2.5m to the local economy.
Read more: All the big gigs we can look forward to in Swansea in 2023
Will there be road closures?
Some roads will be temporarily closed but a council spokesperson said organisers continue to work with local people, businesses and organisations to ensure that disruption is kept to a minimum. Council cabinet member Robert Francis-Davies said: “We want to inspire local people to compete in sport and to enjoy it in other ways too.
“We’re delighted that these events - including the week-long Disability Sport Wales’ Para Sport Festival - are returning. Our unique week of sport provide opportunities for - and features competitors with - a wide range of abilities right up to world-class level. Last year it was a great success for athletes, supporters, local businesses and residents. It saw Olympic, Paralympic, World and Commonwealth champions all racing in Swansea.
“We’ll continue to work with the event organisers to ensure that local people and businesses have every chance to plan for and to enjoy the week. We’ve listened to local feedback and, as a result, the events will take place outside of the school holidays and the IRONMAN 70.3 route has been amended in line with public feedback. We’re grateful to householders, businesses and others in the event locations for their understanding.”
Road closures will take place across Swansea on Sunday, July 16 in areas including Cambrian Place, Burrows Place, parts of Mumbles Road, Caswell Road and parts of the B4436, B4593 and A4118. You can find the full list of road closures here on the Visit Swansea Bay website. There will also be temporary one-way orders and no waiting or loading areas in Swansea across the weekend. Swansea Bay Cycle Path from Marine Way to the pathway adjacent to West Cross Hotel, Mumbles will be closed from 10am-5pm on July, 16.
What else can I expect at the event?
Spectator hotspots for this year’s IRONMAN 70.3 Swansea will be announced soon. Last year’s Swansea event won plaudits in the recent IRONMAN Global Athlete Choice awards. It was named the best running course experience for Europe, Middle East and Africa and fourth best in the world.
Local businesses are already planning ahead for the huge event. Manager of the city centre Dolphin SA1 Hotel, Craig Bennallack, said: “We’re already almost full for the night before IRONMAN 70.3 - and I’m confident we’ll be full that night. I also hope that the tourism attracted by the event will help the food and drink side of our business. I’m expecting a good Saturday at the very least! We’re pleased that Swansea has high-quality events of this nature – they help get the message out that we’re a welcoming city with lots to offer the visitor.”
Manager of the city centre Morgans Hotel, Kate Bowen, said: “We’re really excited about this year’s IRONMAN 70.3 in Swansea. Some of the amazing action will take place very close to the hotel and we’re working with the event organisers so we can offer something really lovely for athletes and spectators. Watch this space!”
IRONMAN 70.3 Swansea race director Rebecca Sutherland said: “Following the outstanding success of last year’s IRONMAN 70.3 event in Swansea, we are tremendously excited for another triathlon-packed weekend this July. Over 2,000 triathletes, including a host of elite female and male professionals, will be visiting the area and throughout the race weekend will experience the best scenery, hospitality, and atmosphere which Swansea and the surrounding area has to offer. It promises to be an exceptional event and I hope as many local residents as possible can come down to be part of it.”
World Triathlon Para Series Swansea race director Laura Carton said: “The whole weekend promises to be a fantastic few days of swim, bike, run, starting with the World Triathlon Para Series on the Saturday. Last year’s inaugural event was a huge success, and we can’t wait to return to the city this summer on a route we will be revealing soon. We hope as many people as possible will come and show their support and enjoy what the event and the city have to offer.”
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