Twenty members of a Caerphilly triathlon club competed at the Ironman Wales event in Tenby on Sunday, September 15.
The annual event saw more than 2,500 competitors from 75 different countries take part in a 3.8km swim, a 180km bike ride and a marathon – with a 17 hour time limit.
Members of Caerphilly Tri-ers Club were well supported as they faced the gruelling challenge, with around 100 club members and family members travelling to Tenby to show their support.
Supporters of the club dressed in the club’s black and yellow colours and set up camp along the bike route, cooking paella and indulging in homemade brownies ready to cheer and offer encouragement as members of the club rode past.
Members had been training hard since January preparing for the triathlon.
The fastest competitor from the club was Gareth Selway, who completed the course in a time of 11 hours, 42 minutes and 37 seconds.
The triathlon was won by France’s Arnaud Guilloux, who completed the challenge in eight hours, 48 minutes and six seconds, while the UK’s Simone Mitchell was the first woman to complete the challenge, taking nine hours, 41 minutes and 52 seconds from start to finish.
Among the competitors at the event was ex-Wales rugby player Gareth Thomas.
Club founder and chairperson Amy Jenner, said: “Caerphilly tri-ers started in January 2017 with six friends deciding over a few drinks in their local pub that they would set up Caerphilly’s first triathlon club.
“The club now has 139 members all competing in different distance triathlons across the world.
“The not-for-profit club has given confidence to those new to the sport by offering beginner swim sessions and social runs and cycles.
“The club has a place for everyone whatever level. Some people even join just for the social inclusion side – to feel a part of something that has made a huge impact on the local sporting community.”