Thirteen years ago, Tenby’s North Beach would have been a very quiet place on a Sunday morning in mid-September. Picture waves gently lapping the shore, boats bobbing in the harbour and gulls pecking leftover chips.
But that was before Ironman came to town. This Sunday, over 2,000 athletes will stand on North Beach staring nervously out to sea in the knowledge one of the most challenging long-distance triathlons in the world awaits them. To become an Ironman, they must complete a 2.4-mile sea swim, hilly 112-mile bike ride and full marathon within 17 hours. One minute more and you are not an Ironman.
Thousands more will line the streets overlooking the bay, transforming the harbour into an amphitheatre capable of rivalling the Principality Stadium on game day. There will be a spine-tingling rendition of the Welsh national anthem, then the starter gun will fire, triggering a surge of athletes into the sea. AC/DC’s Thunderstruck rings out across the water before it is churned up. Months of preparation has come down to this day.
