Long Course Weekend To Keep Southern Route

Pembrokeshire’s annual Long Course Weekend triathlon event will keep the same southern route for this year but next year could see changes to the route.

Billed as ‘Europe’s largest multi-sport festival’, the event features swim, bike and run over a variety of distances, with the elite athletes completing all three disciplines at maximum distance to earn the coveted Long Course Weekend medal.

The Tenby-based multi-day triathlon events have been held in the summer since 2010 in the county, but concerns have been raised about loss of trade and inconvenience due to road closures associated with it, particularly the cycling events, the current longest 112-mile route – taking the form of a double loop with road closures – taking in parts of the south of the county including Wisemans Bridge, Saundersfoot, Tenby and Pembroke.

Back in December, local members Cllr Chris Williams and Cllr Alec Cormack had asked in a notice of motion, at that meeting, the council withdraw support for the annual Long Course Weekend.

That support takes the form of ‘in-kind’ support such as road closures and car parking rather than a direct financial input.

In a supporting statement, the two councillors said: “Our community is at breaking point; residents and businesses in Saundersfoot, Amroth, Wisemans Bridge and Coppet Hall are effectively cut-off for the majority of a Saturday each June/July by the Long Course Weekend two-lap bike race. Many other areas of South Pembs are similarly affected, some on both Saturday and Sunday if they are also on the run course too.”

Since their notice of motion was publicised, an alternative arrangement was mooted by the Long Course organisers for one circular route going as far north as Crymych, which was heard at an extraordinary meeting of the Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee, which took place on January 10.

At the special meeting, members backed a proposal by Cllr Di Clements calling for the cycling route to remain the same for this year, ahead of potential changes in future years, warning of “significant reputational damage” changing from a closed road format for those who had already booked for this year.

That proposal with the potential changes for the future, along with the original notice of motion was brought before the Cabinet meeting for a final decision, along with a recommendation for a formal host agreement between the council and the organisers.

Cllr Cormack said he was “delighted” the organisers were considering the potential of an alternative route in future years which could eliminate the road closure issues.

Cllr Rhys Sinnett proposed members adopted the scrutiny recommendations: the 2025 route expected to be unchanged, a formal host agreement signed for any support in future years, and a general review of the strategy for major events.

The proposals were unanimously backed by members, Council Leader Cllr Jon Harvey saying there was “a need to be mindful of all the concerns raised by local residents,” adding: “If we can work on this going forward and get to a single loop that could be a major benefit for local residents.

“We need to work very hard between now and June to get some clarity for the course going forward to 2026.”