Reply To: Ironmann Wales 2013

[The Slinky Otter]

Dan Mason finished in 16hrs 15min after a tough few hours on the bike.
Jackie Jones finished 15hrs 29mins
Mark Dixon did it in 15hrs 10 mins.

Some of you may recall me shooting through the feed station on my bike at one point, i was lending my front wheel to a German competitor. The mechanics couldn’t fix his front wheel so instead of him having to retire I lent him mine. He was staying in the St Brides hotel and promised he’d leave the wheel in reception there for me. I just popped down to get it and he’d left me a £150 voucher to spend at the hotel. I was gob smacked. I think this shows what competing in the event means to athletes and (while i am blowing my own trumpet somewhat, but im sure any one of us would lend him a wheel) why we’re unique in Pembrokeshire as supporters.

A large majority of Ironman competitors rate IM Wales as the hardest of them all, people come here because its hard and many of them are working their bodies to the very limit (e.g. Dan Mason). But what gets them through is the support from random people outside their houses and from volunteers like the Dynamos on feed stations. I think we should be proud to be part of it. Watching people break down in tears of joy as they crossed the line is reward enough to make me want to help out again next year.