Macedonian athlete Evgenij Pop-Acev was first out the water in tonight's 2.4 mile Wales Swim at North Beach, Tenby, as the Long Course Weekend got off to a stunning start.

On a near perfect sunny evening, spectators crammed onto the beach and at vantage points in the town, and some even waded into the sea itself as more than 2,500 athletes headed into the water from 7pm.

And it was Pop-Acev who completed the distance in 47:16, ahead of Welsh athlete Andrew Horsfall-Turner (48:01). Third was another Welshman in Lloyd Rosewell (49:54).

Local favourite Oliver Simon kept in touch with the leaders, finishing seventh in 50:12.

The first female to finish the 2.4 miles was Julia Andersen, from Yorkshire, who was 14th in 54:25.

There was also a shorter 1.2 mile race, with Welshman Nathaniel Harries (26:24) first back to the sand - and there was a big cheer when Pembrokeshire County Swimming member Rosie Llewellyn (27:17) won the female category.

Tomorrow sees the Welsh Sportive and day two of the Long Course Weekend - with cyclists leaving Salterns Car Park at 7.15am (112 mile race), 10am (66 mile) and 12.30pm (45 mile).