THE CYCLING leg of Long Course Weekend brought colour, effort and plenty of smiles to the roads around Carew on Saturday, as riders powered their way past one of Pembrokeshire’s most recognisable landmarks.

With Carew Castle standing proudly in the background, competitors tackled the climb through the village in warm summer conditions, cheered on by spectators and watched by visitors enjoying one of the county’s busiest sporting weekends.

The pictures, taken by Malcolm Richards Photography for The Herald, capture the spirit of the day: determined faces on the steep sections, thumbs-up for the camera, club colours from across Wales and beyond, and plenty of riders still smiling despite the miles in their legs.

The cycling event is one of the centrepieces of Long Course Weekend, taking athletes through some of Pembrokeshire’s most scenic and demanding roads. From coastal views to countryside climbs, it is a route that tests endurance while showing off the county at its best.

Carew once again proved to be one of the standout locations on the course. The medieval castle, flags flying in the sunshine, provided a dramatic backdrop as riders passed through in steady streams throughout the day.

Long Course Weekend continues to bring a major boost to the local area, with competitors, families and supporters filling towns, villages, cafés, pubs and accommodation across Pembrokeshire.

For many taking part, Saturday’s ride was about more than finishing times. It was about atmosphere, achievement and being part of one of Wales’ biggest endurance sporting events.

Photos: Malcolm Richards Photography for The Herald

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.