The organisers of Ironman Wales due to be held in Tenby and its surrounding areas in September have confirmed that the sporting triathlon will not take place this year.

The sell-out event which attracts thousands of competitors and spectators to the seaside town and Pembrokeshire will now return in 2021.

“With the health and safety of the community being an utmost priority, and in alignment with Pembrokeshire County Council in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic, we can confirm that Ironman Wales and Ironkids Wales originally scheduled for the September 5-6 weekend cannot take place in 2020 and will return on September 11-12, 2021,” said a spokesperson for the event.

“In what has been a continually evolving and challenging time globally, we recognise that this decision due to the above-mentioned unforeseen events may come as a disappointment.

“While we are prevented from holding the event on the original date, we are looking forward to providing athletes with an exceptional race experience at Ironman Wales in 2021.”

Athletes should have now received an email with further details the organisers have stated, but anyone with additional questions or may have not received the email with further information, is asked to please contact [email protected]

Mayor of Tenby, Clr. tony Brown said: “While it is disappointing that Ironman Wales and Ironkids 2020 have been cancelled, particularly as this was going to be a very special 10th anniversary year, it is the correct decision to have made under current circumstances.

“We would like to thank Ironman and Pembrokeshire County Council for considering the concerns local people have had in relation to Covid-19 and over the potential increase in visitor numbers that this event would have generated.

“We thank them for taking account of not only the welfare of athletes and supporters but the whole of the local community in making this decision.

“I’m sure that there will an even more special and warm Tenby welcome when Ironman and Ironkids return in 2021,” he added.

Pembrokeshire County Council Leader, Clr. David Simpson, said that it was the ‘correct decision’ to make in the current climate.

“I, along with the thousands of Ironman Wales Pembrokeshire fans throughout the county and of course the many brave and dedicated competitors and traveling supporters, am deeply disappointed that Ironman Wales is not able to take place on September 6,” he commented.

“The event has become a much loved annual fixture in the Pembrokeshire calendar.

“However, there is no doubt that this is the correct decision and the Council fully supports the postponement due to Covid-19 restrictions.

“The health and safety of the spectators and those taking part must take the utmost priority.

“We therefore look forward to Ironman Wales Pembrokeshire 2021 on September 12 next year with even more anticipation.”