Sir,

I wanted to say a huge and heartfelt thank you to the people and town of Tenby.

Thank you for welcoming us all, the athletes and supporters to your town for Ironman Wales 2019. The whole week and race lived up to all the hype I’d heard about and more! Thank you!

It was the first time I’ve visited Tenby and absolutely loved it. The people of Tenby made me feel so incredibly welcome and you could tell it’s a community that is so proud to have the athletes and the event in their town. Thank you!

I’ve raced all over the world, and I don’t think I’ve ever had an experience from the town and people like I had in Tenby.

You are truly a unique and special place, and there is no surprise that the race sells out in hours. Ironman Wales and Tenby has a reputation around the world, for one of the best supported and iconic events around.

The people of Tenby I hope are proud of that.

I’ve never seen the local shops and cafes in a race town open up at 4.30 am as we all made our way to transition to start the day, serving the athletes and all the amazing supporters and locals.

The fire station serving breakfast at the crack of dawn! It was so good to see and gave the day a real buzz before we’d even started.

Standing on the beach, as the sun rose, hearing the Welsh Naional Anthem sing out, Goscar Rock standing proud in the back ground, the cliffs absolutely packed with crowds, was hairs on the back of the neck and goose bumps.

Running up from the beach and through to town to transition was just mental, I’ve never experienced anything like it. It was crazy and just brilliant! The bike course, is spectacular taking in the beauty of the Pembrokeshire countryside and then you hit Wisemans Bridge and Saundersfoot hills, and the crowds again.

Then you come to the run course, where I don’t think there is a single bit of flat at all! But again it’s unique and special and had spectators and supporters lining every kilometre of the laps.

Running all the way up to the turn, with the road lined with people, then zig-zagging through town past all the pubs and cafés, everyone packed in and outside, cheering us all on, was amazing! Thank you again Tenby.

Then finish that off with that finish line, and the support that the town gave right through the night to the last finishers!

Whilst my performance wasn’t the one I wanted in Tenby, the race was so much more than I could have expected and the experience was one of the best I’ve had as an athlete.

I’ve been flying on a high since the race, from the people and the place. Thank you.

I very much hope to see you all next year!

Laura Siddall