Youngest Ironman Wales competitor on Sunday was Tenby’s Finn Arentz.

Finn from St. Johns Hill, Tenby, only turned 18 on the August 17 and decided to enter this year’s Ironman Wales just two months ago because it looked like it could be the last one held in the town.

Finn’s story is even more amazing as he only started competing in triathlon this year. He has taken part in a few sprint events, but Sunday was the first time he has done any of the three full distances! Finn has always been a strong runner, but he only got his first bike and started swimming in January this year.

Finn went to the start line with his uncle Alex Holland, a farmer from Pendine, who completed his second IMW with a PB of 13:35:05. Finn’s father Erik was due to complete his third consecutive IMW, but pulled out with an injury on Saturday.

Finn’s swim time of 1:04:12 was 15 minutes faster than he had expected, then a 06:19:47 on the bike (just one second faster than his dad did last year!) and a 03:49:52 in the marathon gave him a final time of 11:28:19. He finished second in the 18-24 age category and won the offer of a place at the World Championships in Hawaii.

Finn has just started at Exeter University studying languages and actually used Freshers Week last week to prepare for the race!

Finn said: “I had lots of good advice on race day preparation from local Ironmen which really helped and having low expectations and the good conditions meant I was very relaxed at the start.

“I experienced low points at 130km on the bike and on the third loop of the marathon, but I managed to get through them with fantastic support from the crowds and large noisy family contingent. I hope this shows others that with the right attitude anything is possible.”

Finn is now keen to concentrate on shorter distance triathlons and sadly had to turn down the offer of a place in Kona next year.