Thousands take part as Ironman Wales returns to Tenby

Around 2,700 competitors gathered on Tenby’s North Beach early on Sunday morning as they prepared to face the gruelling endurance test.

Ahead of the event beginning, thousands of spectators lined the beach and sea wall and gave a stirring rendition of the Welsh national anthem, whilst the Army Red Devils skydived from a plane to add to the spectacle.

The start of the swimming event as Ironman Wales 2025 got underway.(Image: Gareth Davies Photography)

The race started with a two-loop 2.4-mile swim at North Beach, before transitioning into the cycle via the infamous long run up the zig-zag ramp.

Athletes then headed onto the 112-mile bike course which took them through the scenic countryside of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and up the energy-sapping Heartbreak Hill with thousands of spectators lined each side of the road cheering them on.

The race culminated in a four-loop 26.2-mile run between Tenby and New Hedges before heading to the famous red carpet finish line on Tenby’s Esplanade.

The swimmers make their way past Tenby Lifeboat Station.(Image: Gareth Davies Photography)

12 professional female athletes completed this year’s event, with Germany’s Franziska Hofmann finishing first in 9:42:24. British pair Rosie Wild (10:01:35) and Katie Phipkin (10:03:56) completed the podium.

This was Hofmann’s first Ironman victory, with her previous best results including a third at Ironman 70.3 Zell am See Kaprun in 2023, and at Ironman 70.3 Poznan where she finished third in 2024 and second this year.

Sam Proctor was the first athlete to reach Pembroke during the cycling leg.(Image: Martin Cavaney)

“Everything was hurting,” she said at the finish line. “I thought I’ll never ever do this but with all the crowds and the atmosphere it carried me all day and I felt at one with all this.

“It was super special.”

Paul Slack, of Tenby Aces, attempts to chase down Michael Williams going through Pembroke.(Image: Martin Cavaney)

Lewis Eccleston, who came into the event off the back of winning Ironman 70.3 Bolton in June, came home first in the men’s category, finishing in 9:34:02.  

German Finn Von Schmeling, of Tri Michels Hamberg  e. V., came home in 9:43:32 whilst third-placed Sam Proctor finished in 9:44:23.

The supporters went above and beyond to encourage the athletes.(Image: Martin Cavaney)

“Out on that course, the support was absolutely unbelievable,” Eccleston said. “There’s nothing like it around the world. This is the best. This is as good as it gets.

“Everybody really embraces the race and I’m just really grateful for the support.”

This was Eccleston's first Ironman Wales victory, after coming 17th in 2018 and 3rd in 2023. 

In the women’s category, Princess Shaddick, of Heathwood Swimming & Triathlon, finished in 10:46:25, clear of Jessica Caughtry (11:23:18) and Gudrun Steiner, of SV Gallneukirchen (11:29:09).

Princess Shaddick going up on Heartbreak Hill in Saundersfoot.(Image: Gareth Davies Photography)

Wales legend Shane Williams finished in 11:55:42, whilst ex-Ireland rugby league international and co-founder of  for men's suicide prevention charity ANDYSMANCLUB Luke Ambler finished in 14:25:51.

Full results for the 2025 IRONMAN Wales triathlon can be found at ironman.com/races/imwales/results.