Swansea named new host city for Ironman triathlon

Swansea's brand-new IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon event will celebrate para sport in the UK. Credit: IRONMAN

Swansea has been added as a location to the Ironman calendar, with athletes set to take on a route through Swansea Bay, Mumbles and the Gower Peninsula.

The long-distance triathlon will take in the sights of Swansea Bay, Mumbles and the Gower Peninsula over 70.3 miles next August.

It is the second location in Wales to play host to the official Ironman event. Tenby first hosted the race in 2011.

Welcoming the announcement, Swansea Council leader Rob Stewart said: “Competitors, friends and supporters will be assured of a warm welcome in Swansea. It will be the perfect match of a sport that’s booming and a city that’s going places thanks to its people, culture, location and its £1bn city centre regeneration.”

Ironman Wales in Pembrokeshire has seen a significant increase in triathlon clubs. Credit: Ironman

Declan Byrne, Regional Director of the UK and Ireland for The IRONMAN Group said:  “We are really excited about the addition of an IRONMAN 70.3 race in Swansea as our athletes have been eagerly anticipating the establishment of such an event in Wales for some time. 

"Swansea was an obvious choice with its outstanding natural beauty and a thriving tourist destination, catering to both internationals and locals alike. Our hope is that IRONMAN 70.3 Swansea has the same positive impact on the region as IRONMAN Wales has had on Pembrokeshire.”

Swansea's Ironman event will be one of a series of events to celebrate para sport in the UK.

A World Triathlon Para will be held in Swansea the day before on the same course. A wider para sports festival will also be held in the city throughout the first week of August.

Athletes participating will take on a 1.2mile (1.9km) swim, a 56-mile (90km) bike course followed by a 13.1-mile (21.1km) run. Credit: Ironman

Praising their long relationship with Ironman, Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport, Dawn Bowden, said, “This event will further raise Wales’ profile as an events host and provide an economic boost to the region. I am also pleased with the collaborative work that is taking place with British Triathlon and Disability Sport Wales and in relation to other events that are happening at the same time in Swansea.”

Athletes participating will take on a 1.2mile (1.9km) swim, a 56-mile (90km) bike course followed by a 13.1-mile (21.1km) run.

The winners will be offered qualifying slots at the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship taking place in Lahti, Finland on August 26 – 27, 2023.

General registration for the event will open on November 16, 2021 at 2pm.