They still continue to cause divide across Pembrokeshire communities, but now the dust has settled on another Ironman Wales triathlon and Long Course Weekend, one county councillor is seeking feedback from members of the public, on their experiences surrounding the annual sporting events.

Ironman Wales saw another set of road closures for the event in place on Sunday, September 22; whilst the Long Course Weekend held over three-days back in June, saw ‘rolling’ road closures brought in for the cycling and marathon stages on the Saturday and Sunday.

“The dust has now settled on Ironman Wales 2024 - congratulations to all the athletes, volunteers, and organisers who made this incredible event possible!” Cllr Rhys Jordan, county councillor for the wards of St Mary Out Liberty (New Hedges) and St Florence - where road closures for the sporting events affect constituents.

“Now that it's behind us, it’s time to reflect and learn from each event. Whether you were directly affected or simply observed the impact, your feedback matters and will help us shape future events.

“Please take a moment to share your thoughts on road closures, traffic management, parking, and more by filling out the feedback form below.

“Your insights will be invaluable in ensuring we continue to improve and make these events as beneficial to the community as possible.

“Thank you for your input and for being part of the conversation,” added Cllr Jordan who urged people to share their feedback here: https://forms.gle/wvPHSEch5qsXizvv6

With world-renowned spectator support and epic coastal courses, Tenby hosted its first Ironman back in 2011, and such is the impact it has made on those locally taking part, as well as attracting athletes and spectators from all over the world, the seaside resort has been dubbed ‘Iron Town’ by many.

Again this year, record crowds of spectators lined the beach, the sea wall and the Tenby streets from the early hours of the morning, ready to catch a glimpse of the spectacular swim start on the iconic North Beach at 7.30 am.

The final Ironman race in the UK this season kicked off with one of the most goosebump inducing and electric swim starts in the global Ironman calendar, as around 2,400 athletes lined up ready to ‘face the dragon’ - as the Welsh National anthem bellowed out into sea.

The 2.4-mile swim course is followed by the infamous pink bag run up the zig zags, before those that have made it out of the sea take on the two-loop 112-mile bike course through the scenic countryside of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, followed by the four-loop 26.2-mile run which ends along the Esplanade overlooking South Beach, with thousands of spectators willing athletes home...some not finishing until nigh on 1 am this year.

Ironman Wales Race Director Rebecca Sutherland said after this year’s event: “We absolutely love racing in Wales and Tenby is a truly special location to host a world-renowned race like Ironman Wales!

“Today had the biggest crowds we’ve seen down at North Beach for the start, as thousands of spectators cheered on their athletes. The support continued long into the night with the finish line party helping people down the red carpet. Bring on next year!” she added.

However, although a large majority continue to enjoy the sporting spectacle and all the excitement it brings, there are a fair few wishing to see the back of it forever more with all the disruption they state it brings.

Those firmly in the supportive corner see the tourism benefits it brings for the area just as the summer season comes to an end, and also the health and wellbeing boost it has had on those living locally that have been inspired to get fit and in training to be able to take on such a challenge, and cross that finishing line in Tenby to say they are an ‘Ironman’ - whilst those who can’t stand the sight of the ‘lycra brigade’ descending on their coastal towns and villages in large numbers every September, continue to bemoan the fact that they can’t get on with their weekly Sunday routine due to the amount of road closures in place for the day of the event.

Staunch supporters on social media hit back with remarks such as - ‘It’s for one day - the publicity for Tenby is priceless! See the bigger picture’ and ‘It’s an event that brings life into Tenby and trade to shops, cafes and pubs. The atmosphere is electric. It's been Tenby's star attraction for years and is just the most fantastic experience and day out!’

One business owner on Tenby High Street however hit back at those urging others to stop whinging, stating: “Please all stop saying it’s only one day a year! Car parks are taken away seven days before to set up and we don’t get them back till three days after event.

“Come see our books it costs us money. It would be nice if the million pound company that is Ironman who pay very little tax in th UK, just once say sorry for the inconvenience.

“15 years we have excepted it, the losses, the inconvenience. It’s been great but it’s time it went some where else now please, we’ve done our bit,” they added.

Ahead of the 2023 Ironman, over 90 business owners and traders in Tenby signed a petition opposing the fact that the event would be held earlier that year on September 3, before the summer holidays had ended, raising concerns, echoed by local councillors, that this would impact on the end of the season, and not bring as much benefit to the local economy, with the event not being staged beyond the school break, effectively extending the season in the area.

Correspondence sent to Pembrokeshire County Council from traders questioned the ‘integrity’ of the Local Authority in making a decision without consultation, with some calling for compensation and others threatening to sabotage the event!

“It would appear corporate greed, intransigence and the monumental failure of PCC to work with and protect the business community are all at fault,” stated a collective group of business owners in Tenby in correspondence sent to the Local Authority’s CEO at the time.

PCC did listen to concerns from businesses and residents relating to Long Course Weekend and the impact it has on Tenby, when they worked with organisers Activity Wales in agreeing to move the event’s finish away from the town centre to The Salterns car park two years ago.

With Welsh capital Cardiff actively lobbying to take Ironman from Pembrokeshire for some years, a new host sponsorship agreement with Ironman Ltd was approved back in 2021 with the County Council for a five year term to keep the sporting triathlon in the area until 2026.

As part of the arrangements, PCC will pay £65,000 a year to the Ironman Wales organisers, as well as continuing to provide ‘in kind’ services for the event; whilst Tenby Town Council also commits £5,000 a year to the event, the only community/town council in the locality to do so.

Ironman Wales will return on Sunday, September 21 next year, with general entries now open.