Hofmann wins as thousands take on Ironman Wales

2 weeks ago

Germany's Franziska Hofmann triumphed successful nan women's master title arsenic Tenby welcomed backmost Ironman Wales.

Britain's Rosie Wild came successful 2nd pinch compatriot Kate Phipkin 3rd connected a play successful which much than 2,700 competitors statement up alongside nan elite women triathletes successful Pembrokeshire for nan 140.6 mile triathlon.

Lewis Eccleston triumphed successful nan men's arena pinch Princess Shaddick nan non-professional women's winner.

Widely regarded arsenic 1 of nan toughest races of its benignant successful nan world, nan people successful westbound Wales challenged athletes pinch a choppy oversea swim, much than 2,500m of elevation connected nan bike, and a marathon that was thing but flat.

The title began pinch 2.4mile swim, followed by a gruelling uphill modulation via nan Zig-Zag and done Tenby municipality to nan motorcycle racks.

From there, athletes traded goggles and wetsuits for cleats and aero helmets arsenic they tackled a 112 mile motorcycle people crossed Pembrokeshire, earlier lacing up their trainers for a 26.2 mile marathon.

The title motto "Face nan Dragon" has been inspired by nan rugged coastline and unpredictable upwind that forces 100s of athletes to retreat each year.

Before nan 2025 edition, title head Rebecca Sutherland said nan arena "is nan jewel successful nan crown of our UK title season".

She added: "The Welsh spectator support passim Tenby and Pembrokeshire is ever unthinkable to witness. Athletes get to acquisition a challenging people pinch 1 of nan champion atmospheres connected earth."

Those who made it to nan decorativeness statement were rewarded pinch a travel up nan infamous reddish carpet. First-timers had nan chance to ringing nan doorbell to people their achievement, earlier proceeding nan 4 words each endurance jock longs for: "You are an Ironman!"

Media caption,

"That's Ironman Wales successful a nutshell" - Shane Williams explains precisely what faced him and nan remainder of nan section successful Tenby

Welsh sporting stars besides joined nan situation pinch erstwhile British and Irish Lions men's helping Shane Williams and erstwhile Wales women's rugby world Sioned Harries among them.

Williams, who was racing successful Tenby for nan seventh time, told BBC Sport beferehand: "It's very infectious, this race. It fills nan void from from nan rugby and I conscionable emotion nan full title broadside of keeping fresh mentally and physically."

Former Ireland rugby convention and Leeds Rhinos subordinate turned endurance jock Luke Ambler besides took part, alongside his adjacent friend Jonny Mason.

Ambler was attempting to complete each UK full-distance and 70.3 Ironman successful a azygous year. His and Mason's campaign, Mission Possible, concluded successful Tenby successful support of Andysmanclub, a intelligence wellness kindness that intends to break stigma, spark conversation, and promote men to talk.