Not the news that anyone wanted, but given the compact nature of the town of Tenby and the large crowds typically present. IRONMAN Wales 2021 is no longer going ahead, and will return to Tenby to start a new five-year partnership with the town on Sunday 11 September 2022.

Here is the formal announcement from the IRONMAN UK & Ireland team.

The IRONMAN Group announce with a heavy heart that IRONMAN Wales will be postponed and will return on September 11, 2022.

Our teams have been hard at work preparing safe and enjoyable in-person events for our athletes in 2021, including the IRONMAN Wales triathlon in September. After careful evaluation of the recent government announcement in Wales we have been working closely with Pembrokeshire County Council to find a way forward for this year’s event. Uncertainties around moving to Alert Level 0 in Wales, the current epidemiological infection rate and the unique event site at Tenby and Pembrokeshire as well as large crowds expected to gather on race day were discussed in a meeting with local authorities. 

Due to the unique race site in Tenby, the recommendation has been made not to support the host agreement for this year and to reschedule the event to 2022. While we were hoping otherwise, we respect the Council’s position and will follow its recommendation to reschedule the event to 2022. So, it is with a heavy heart that we announce today that IRONMAN Wales will return on September 11, 2022. 

The Tenby and Pembrokeshire community have for many years been incredibly supportive of the IRONMAN Wales event. Despite the joint disappointment of not being able to host the race in 2021, we are pleased to share that a new five-year host venue agreement has been reached with Pembrokeshire County Council to ensure that IRONMAN Wales will happen annually in Tenby until 2026.