Three days of swimming, cycling and running begin with The Wales Swim at North Beach

THOUSANDS of athletes and supporters have arrived in Tenby as Long Course Weekend Wales gets underway for three days of sport, crowds and celebration.

The major Pembrokeshire event runs from Friday, June 26, to Sunday, June 28, with competitors taking part in swimming, cycling and running events across Tenby and the wider county.

The weekend begins on Friday evening with The Wales Swim at North Beach, one of the most popular open-water swim events in the UK. Athletes taking on the full Long Course Weekend will then move on to the cycling stage on Saturday before completing their final running challenge on Sunday.

Saturday will see cyclists tackle routes through the Pembrokeshire countryside, with thousands expected to line the roads and cheer competitors on.

The weekend concludes on Sunday with The Wales Marathon, The Wales Half Marathon, The Wales 10k and The Wales 5k, all finishing back in Tenby in front of large crowds.

Organisers say the event is designed for athletes of all abilities, from experienced competitors to first-time participants taking on a personal challenge.

Residents and visitors are being reminded that Tenby and surrounding roads will be busier than usual throughout the weekend, with road closures, parking restrictions and delays expected at various times.

Local businesses are also preparing for one of the busiest weekends of the year, with hotels, restaurants, pubs and shops welcoming the influx of visitors.

Long Course Weekend has become one of Pembrokeshire’s biggest annual sporting events, attracting thousands of competitors and spectators while providing a significant boost to the local economy. The event showcases Tenby and the county’s coastline to participants from across Wales, the UK and overseas.

Anyone travelling in or around Tenby over the weekend is advised to plan ahead, allow extra time for journeys and follow official event and traffic guidance.

Images: Gareth Davies/Herald

THE PEMBROEKSHIRE TABLE TENNIS LEAGUE has marked another successful season, with the competition growing to 27 teams across four divisions in just three years.

The league, which includes teams from Fishguard, St Davids, Haverfordwest, Cardigan, Carmarthen and surrounding areas, now caters for players of all standards, from complete beginners to former Welsh internationals and nationally ranked competitors.

The 2025/26 season has now concluded, with Fishguard Jellyfish taking the Division One title. The winning team featured Gary Strawbridge, Lawrence Harris and Silfan Rhys-Jones.

Division Two was won by St Davids Whitesands, represented by Harry Lovett and David Fisher, while Redstar Stepaside claimed the Division Three title through Aidan and Stuart Johnson.

Organisers say the league has gone from strength to strength since being established, helping to revive competitive table tennis across Pembrokeshire and west Wales.

Silfan Rhys-Jones, who helped establish both the Fishguard club and the Pembrokeshire Table Tennis League, said the competition now offered a place for everyone, from beginners in the lower divisions to elite players in the top tier.

Fishguard players have also enjoyed success on the national stage. Fishguard A won silver in Division Five of the Welsh National League, earning promotion to Division Four, while Fishguard C also won silver in Division Eight and secured promotion to Division Seven. Fishguard B finished fourth in Division Six.

In the National Welsh Veterans League, Fishguard A won bronze in Division Two.

The league hopes to provide annual standings, photographs and season summaries in future years as the sport continues to grow locally.

CHILDREN from Pembrokeshire could see their designs for a new rugby kit showcased on the world stage – thanks to a partnership between Specsavers and Wales Deaf Rugby.

Specsavers stores across Wales are teaming up with Wales Deaf Rugby to launch a colouring competition inviting children to design the shirts that the men’s and women’s teams will wear as they play to retain their world title at this year’s World Deaf Rugby 7s World Championship in Tokyo.

Running until Saturday 1 August, the competition will see two winners selected – one for designing the men’s kit and one for the women’s. Each winner will have their design produced and will receive a replica kit. Two runners-up will also receive a £50 colouring hamper.

The partnership supports the Welsh men’s and women’s squads as they prepare to defend their world titles in Tokyo, helping to fund kit, training and travel costs. The teams were last crowned world champions in Córdoba, Argentina, in 2023.

Siân-Elin Melbourne, Chair of Wales Deaf Rugby, says: ‘This partnership means a huge amount to us, especially at such a pivotal time for the club. I was proud to be part of the very first Wales Deaf women’s team back in 2019, and to now see both squads preparing to defend world titles on the global stage is incredibly powerful.

‘Support from Specsavers and their customers doesn’t just help with travel and kits – it sends a message to our players that they are valued, believed in and backed by their communities. As we build towards Tokyo, that belief makes all the difference.’

The Deaf Rugby 7s World Championship is an international tournament that brings together leading deaf rugby teams from across the globe to compete for the world title.

In 2023, 10 men’s and six women’s teams took part in the competition. The next tournament will be staged in Tokyo over six days this October and November.

Lizzie Broughton, audiology marketing manager at Specsavers, adds: ‘We’re incredibly proud to support Wales Deaf Rugby as they prepare to compete on the world stage. Through this competition, we’re giving local children the opportunity to get involved in the team’s journey and show their support in a creative way.

‘As hearing specialists, supporting the deaf community is something we’re passionate about and we can’t wait to see the designs that young people come up with for this year’s tournament.’

The partnership follows on from Specsavers’s sponsorship of Wales Deaf Rugby earlier this year, when 11 Welsh audiology businesses contributed towards the club’s £150,000 fundraising target. Specsavers audiologist, Kyle James, also met with the team to discuss how hearing plays a key role in both sport and everyday life.

Colouring sheets are available to collect from Specsavers stores across Wales. Entries should be submitted in-store by Saturday 1 August. To find your nearest store, visit www.specsavers.co.uk/stores.