The race itself is not until Sunday - but the build up is well underway.

Thousands of athletes, officials, and spectators are currently arriving in Tenby for the highly anticipated Ironman Wales 2016 event.

As well as a record number of local entrants, athletes will travel from all over the UK, and indeed, the World to compete in what is widely regarded as one of the most difficult triathlon events on offer.

Entrants will enter the sea at North Beach, Tenby, from 7-7.30am on Sunday morning, with rolling starts again being used to start the event, and then will have 17 hours to reach the finish line on the Esplanade following a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride and 26.2 mile marathon run.

Leading the charge will be a 40 strong pro field, with over 2,000 athletes following in their wake.

But the action will actually get underway on Saturday, as from 3pm, 1,000 young stars aged 3-14 will take part in Ironkids - a ‘fun run’ in and around Tenby’s town centre. 

Once again, huge crowds are expected to line streets of not just Tenby but Pembrokeshire - with Carew, Narbeth and Saundersfoot all providing popular vantage points for the bike ride.

And athletes will once again be able to count on massive local support, with the event sure to again live up to its reputation of producing an incredible atmosphere.

For a full list of times and road closures, visit www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/ironman/ or www.ironman.com/wales.

  • BREAKING: Ironman Wales to stay in Pembrokeshire for 2017 and potentially up to 2021. Click here