Everywhere you looked something was branded Ironman!
Even in the Fish and Chip shop I was asked by an old couple "are you here for the Ironman ..are you bonkers?" I told them with a relief I'm only Half crazy!
You can't fault the organisation. Really professional from Marshalling to Safety.
Registration was easy through a huge Merchandising Tent! You are greeted by smiling helpers to aid you through making it simple. You receive a goody souvenir rucksack containing your stickers & numbers for many coloured bags!
Now the logistics, if like me pre race blondness steps in so luckily my trusty helper sorted the times. Transition was 2 miles away where you needed to be racked & packed by 16:00! timing it for race briefing at 15:00 which was back at the Registration area. They could have done with 2 on the Saturday as it was extremely busy & would have given people time to rack at Transition before it closed or leaving it open longer. Which seemed to lead to a frenzy panic in the morning when I returned to add things to the bike. You couldn't touch your bags!
The sea swim had a beautiful sunrise backdrop! You could not ask for better weather, a contrast to last year!
I loved the organised roll in start. Going in at your average finish time for the swim lead to no panic & everyone around you swimming same pace.
The bike was Brutal! No other explanation. Changing the route from last years Challenge event in reverse so you hit every scenic Hill!
A great effort on direction & safety throughout the course.
Run was lovely along the Esplanade flat as a pancake!
Support from spectators was amazing & the Marshaling all over the whole day was Uber Brilliant!
The Marshals on the water stations ( even the water cups are branded!) on the run had me dancing & laughing all the way. Their encouragement in the heat was so uplifting especially as I was not the only one struggling!
Thanks Ironman UK for making my achievement a day to remember. You even organised the Sun to shine!
Well worth every penny. And I can't wait for my next one.