Ironman Wales competitors are to be offered the chance to roll their race registrations over to 2021 after the cancellation of this year’s event.
Race organisers are sending emails to tri-athletes which will offer to move their £475 entries on to next year’s event after this September’s big day was called off due to the coronavirus pandemic.
More than 2,000 athletes from all over the world were due to take part in the sold out event on 6 September, with thousands of spectators gathering in Tenby and along the route.
It’s been calculated that the annual event is worth £3.7m to the local economy.
The leader of Pembrokeshire County Council, David Simpson, said he was “deeply disappointed” but fully supported the decision, based on Covid-19 restrictions.
He added: “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.”
The next Ironman Wales is due to be held on 12th September 2021.
The race organisers said they understood the decision “may come as a disappointment”, but described the health and safety of its community as “an utmost priority.”
In a statement, the Ironman organisers added: “In what has been a continually evolving and challenging time globally, we recognize 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.”