Swansea Ironman live updates as race begins and road closures in force

Thousands of athletes are taking in one of Swansea's biggest sporting events on Wales' hottest weekend of the year. Ironman 70.3, a gruelling endurance event which sees participants swim, cycle and run for more than 70 miles, returned to the city on Sunday, July 12.

More than 2,500 people are expected to take part in the event alongside the professionals. It is the first time the city will be hosting an Ironman Pro Series Event where some of the world's best professional triathlete race for a piece of the $50,000 prize purse.

The day will began with a 1.2-mile, or 1.9km, swim through Swansea Bay starting at the Prince of Wales Dock, Once out of the water athletes will head out onto the 56-mile bike course that passes through the seaside village of Mumbles along roads that hug the Gower’s coastal clifftops before cycling out through the rural Welsh countryside and heading back into the city.

The event will cap off with a 13.1-mile two loop run course which takes them from the city centre, out past the new eye-catching gold-coloured Swansea Arena, towards Mumbles before heading back towards the finish line at the marina.

Ironman is not the only event being held in Swansea this weekend with The Love Trails Festival also being held in Gower. A number of road closures are in place to ensure both events can happen safely so motorists are being advised to expect some disruption. You can find the full list of road closures here.

The Ironman 70.3, also known as a Half Ironman, is one of global portfolio of events operated by the Ironman Group. The "70.3" refers to the total distance in miles (113.0 km) covered in the race, which each segment being half the distance of its equivalent in an Ironman Triathlon. Ironman races are held in