Shane Williams will get to put another tick in the boxes of sporting accomplishments when he plunges into the waters of Cardiff Bay at the weekend.

The former Wales rugby star may have scored tries all around the world – including one recently playing on Mount Everest – but competing in this year’s Cardiff Triathlon will enable him to achieve another first.

The event – which is being streamed live online by S4C on Sunday morning – is the only occasion that allows people to swim competitively in Cardiff Bay and Williams will join 1,500 other competitors in the 1.5k opening leg.

Like so many recently retired professional sportsmen, the former Wales and Lions wing has continued to take part in sporting events to feed his competitive habit and the triathlon in the Welsh capital will be his latest challenge.

“I’m not sure the experience on Everest will help me perform better at sea level in Cardiff, but I’m looking forward to being in more friendly and familiar surroundings in Cardiff Bay,” he says. “At least it should be a lot flatter and warmer.

“It will be great to be able to swim in Cardiff Bay and I know the area pretty well having taken part in the Cardiff Half Marathon and Wales Velothon. This is going to be another challenging event, but one I’m really looking forward to.

“It’s great that on my doorstep here in Wales there are so many great events in which to take part. I’ve done the Wales Ironman in Tenby before and now comes a slightly less demanding test in Cardiff.”

Now in its fifth year, Cardiff Triathlon has grown considerably as elite racers as well as enthusiasts warm to the idea of a Welsh triathlon course in a city-centre location.

Williams will be among the early starters in the Olympic distance race on Sunday, while S4C’s live online coverage will focus on the Elite race with coverage getting underway at 10.30am, on the S4C Chwaraeon Facebook Live page and on S4C Clic. Highlights of the race will be televised on S4C at 9.30pm on Friday 28 June.

Wales’ double world champion Helen Jenkins will be the official starter this year when competitors will swim in the Bay in the shadows of the Senedd building and Millennium Centre, before cycling around closed local roads within the city, and finally enjoying a breathtaking run that bisects the water across Cardiff Bay barrage.

Now recognised as an ITU (International Triathlon Union) sprint distance triathlon 2020 World Championship qualifier, the event includes sprint, super sprint and standard/Olympic distance races. The 2019 ITU World Championships will take place later this year in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Organisers, Always Aim High Events, are ambitious to grow the annual event further – positioning Cardiff Triathlon to become as much a part of the capital’s sporting heritage as rugby internationals, Test match cricket, and Champions League football.

Tim Lloyd, director of Always Aim High Events, says: “It’s a stunning city, with a huge sporting pedigree. The fact that we have the opportunity to bring such an exciting event to the capital of Wales is a real honour.

“But there is still lots of scope for this event to grow. We are always looking for different ways we can improve on it.

“We offer the big city feel – that includes the thrills of the fast-paced Cardiff lifestyle – with a fast, flat course which is ideal for first-timers and elites alike.”

Elite performers, who take up places allocated by British Triathlon, will be hoping for fast times and the added boost of city centre spectators to help them on their way.

A first transition, where competitors will scramble to get on board 1,500 bikes stationed in the magnificent surroundings Roald Dahl Plass, always makes for exciting viewing.  

Last year’s standard/Olympic distance race was won by Alex Matchett of Pembrokeshire Triathlon club in a time of 1:47:44.

He finished an impressive four minutes ahead of Nathan Ford (1:51:51), of Team Tredz/NFT with James Manson of local club Cardiff Triathletes in third in 1:58:45.

The first female across the line was Vicky Johnston who finished in 2:01:17.

The Cardiff Triathlon is just one of a number of leading Triathlon events being televised by S4C this summer. The Bala Triathlon, The Snowman, and the Gower Triathlon – all part of the Welsh Super Series – will be screened in the coming months.

Cardiff Triathlon
Live online coverage – Sunday 23 June, from 10.30am
S4C Chwaraeon Facebook page and S4C Clic

Highlights – Friday 28 June, 9.30pm
S4C and on-demand at S4C Clic, iPlayer and other platforms
A Dream Team Television production for S4C