In just under one months’ time, over 2,200 athletes will descend on Swansea to compete in the 3rd sold-out edition of IRONMAN 70.3 Swansea.
Amongst them will be Nikki Bartlett who claimed a 2nd place finish at last year’s race, followed by a victory in the country at IRONMAN Wales last September. Joining her is local favourite Andrew-Horsfall Turner who took a 4th place finish at IRONMAN 70.3 Swansea 2023. Both hope to better their finishes from last year and go for the tape this time around. The full male and female professional start-list for IRONMAN 70.3 Swansea will be announced in due course.
Alongside the pro athletes will be thousands of age group athletes from all over the world from countries such as the US, Germany and France, as well as a very strong contingent from Wales. This event offers men’s and women’s Age Group Qualifying slots to the 2024 VinFast IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Marbella, Spain.
There are also some notable names racing IRONMAN 70.3 Swansea this year. Former Welsh rugby legends Shane Williams and Rhys Webb are taking to the start line alongside influencers Bradley Howard and Stephanie Joshi. World Champion paratriathlete Jan Tomanek will also be racing come Sunday 14th July.
The race begins with a one-loop 1.2-mile swim at the Prince of Wales Dock followed by a one-loop 56-mile bike course through Mumbles along roads that hug the Gower’s coastal clifftops before cycling out through Rural Swansea and heading back along Swansea Bay into the city. Athletes then take on a two-loop 13.1-mile run course which takes them from the city centre, out past the new eye-catching gold-coloured Swansea Arena, towards Mumbles before heading back towards the finish line at the Marina.
Around 400+ local volunteers will be working all over Swansea in areas including registration, media, road closure, finish line and transition.
IRONMAN 70.3 Swansea Race Director, Rebecca Sutherland, said: “We can’t wait to be back in Swansea for the 3rdedition of this sell-out race! We’ve sold-out the race each year so far which is a testament to the incredible athletes and local spectator support which makes this race a real special one on the UK calendar. The Welsh spirit really comes through and makes the race a must do for any keen triathlete.”
Tracey McNulty, head of Cultural Services at Swansea Government, said: “It’s great news that IRONMAN 70.3 Swansea is a sell-out yet again. Every year, together with the World Triathlon Para Series, it brings more than £2m to our local economy. We know how much the athletes and supporters enjoy our city’s spectacular location and natural beauty that make it such a fantastic stage for major events. It’s one of many reasons why sports and music promoters keep coming back year after year. This year we’ll once again welcome events such as the IRONMAN 70.3, the World Triathlon Para Series, the Wales Airshow, outdoor theatre and a series of Singleton Park concerts by world-class musicians.”
