Dyfed Powys Police and Pembrokeshire County Council have issued a safety warning to wannabe Ironman competitors who might be planning on taking on their own personal triathlon challenge this weekend in Tenby and its surrounding area.

The popular Ironman Wales 2020 event which was due to take place this Sunday (September 6) normally attracts thousands of competitors and spectators to the seaside town, but it was cancelled by the organisers due to the pandemic.

The event sees triathletes take on a 2.4-mile swim on the North Beach, followed by a 112-mile bike ride, and a 26.2-mile marathon to finish.

However, with many of those that had entered still potentially coming to the area to stay this weekend, there have been rumours in the race community that many will try and take on the normal route, either individually or in groups.

“We’re aware some people are planning to travel to Tenby to race the Ironman route this weekend, and while we understand people have trained really hard to compete, and are disappointed the race is cancelled, we are concerned about the impact of racing without any road closures or the usual support,” said a spokesperson for Dyfed Powys Police.

The message issued by the police authority, together with Pembrokeshire County Council, is:

• Please don’t cycle in packs – Pembrokeshire’s roads make the best Ironman route because they are challenging. They are also likely to be busy, as visitor numbers are still high, and are therefore very dangerous.

• If you’re planning on swimming, please ensure the conditions are appropriate and your swim doesn’t risk others who may be called to help you.

• If you’re planning to take on that hill for the run, please consider the need for social distancing and give way to others. In part, the road is fast and the pavements are narrow.

“We look forward to welcoming athletes and supporters back to Tenby next year,” added the police spokesperson.