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Details have been released of road closures that will be in place for Ironman Wales - should the triathlon event be given the go-ahead to take place this year in Tenby and its surrounding area.

Ironman Wales like many other sporting events across the UK and Europe was cancelled last year due to the pandemic, but is scheduled to be held in 2021 on Sunday, September 12.

The event which in the past has seen athletes from all over the world take part, always attracts large crowds of supporters into Tenby and other parts of Pembrokeshire that the route takes in.

The two-loop 2.4 mile swim course starts early morning on Tenby’s famous North Beach; before competitors take on the 112 mile bike course through the scenic countryside of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park; and then finish with the gruelling four-loop 26.2 mile run around Tenby’s walled town and the outskirts of the coastal resort.

This year, provided Covid regulations and guidance allows the event to take place it will be held over the weekend of September 11/12, with the popular Ironkids event taking place on the Saturday

In order for the event to be held safely, and as in previous years, it is necessary for Pembrokeshire County Council to introduce various traffic restrictions over the weekend to ensure competitor and public safety, as well as to enable the set up works to take place on the Thursday and Friday ahead of the main events.

“Due to the legal process involved to implement traffic restrictions, the consultation process has to start now prior to receiving further guidance or updated regulations from Welsh Government, however it should be noted that at this stage, this event has not been formally confirmed to take place and this is purely a consultation in preparation should the event be permitted,” said a spokesperson for PCC.

The details of plans giving detail in respect of the main road closures that are to be implemented and an approximation of time, will be circulated to residents and businesses by Ironman organisers in advance of the event through press releases and mail drops.

Last weekend, Pembrokeshire hosted the Wales Triathlon as part of a pilot to manage spectators at sporting events due to the pandemic.

About 500 competitors took part in the race in Fishguard instead of the usual 1,200, with organisers discouraging spectators from attending.

Covid friendly measures in place included a pre-event video briefing rather than a live one; and a ‘sterile zone’ at the start and finish lines.

Pembrokeshire County Council cabinet member with responsibility for major events, Clr. Phil Baker, said of the pilot sporting event in Fishguard: “We were blessed with fantastic weather for the Wales Triathlon test event on Saturday and as an invited observer I witnessed that the event went really well.

“Social distancing and the Covid-19 protocols put in place ensured the wellbeing of the athletes.

“There was a lot of pre-event planning from organisers Activity Wales and a host of partners, including Pembrokeshire County Council, to ensure this triathlon could go ahead as a Welsh Government test event.

“We look forward to post event learning which we hope will go towards future events being able to run safely across Pembrokeshire and Wales.”

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