Wales rugby legend Shane Williams is still as committed to fitness as he was during his glittering career.
The 47-year-old retired from rugby union ten years ago but you would never have known it by his insatiable appetite for health and fitness.
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The 87-cap Wales international showed off his peak post-retirement condition by conquering the infamous Ironman Wales event.
Ironman is known as one of the most gruelling long-distance triathlon events, consisting of swimming and cycling before finishing off with a marathon run.
The distance covered by all entrants is a whopping 140.6 miles, therefore peak level fitness is a requirement to get through the event safely.
Williams completed the 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride and full marathon in just 11 hours and 31 minutes.
The impressive feat means he was the 12th fastest in his age category (45-49) and 112th out of 2,400 competitors.
And his time was better than last year’s attempt when he crossed the finish line in 12 hours and four minutes.
He also shaved a full hour off the time he recorded in 2022, when he recorded a finish of 12 hours and 30 minutes.
Williams was supporting the Welsh Air Ambulance at the event which saw crowds of supporters head to the seaside town of Tenby to watch.
“Obviously, it’s a fantastic charity and cause, we’ve all seen the great work that they have done, how amazing they are and the difference they make to a lot of people’s lives, so I am very proud to be associated with them on this adventure,” said Williams.
Post-retirement life has seen Williams occupied by fitness and business ventures, and whilst the Ironman events are taxing on his body, the support of those in attendance keep the fire burning.
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“If you get support like that you’ve got to keep coming back, haven’t you?” he told the BBC after completing the event.
“From start to finish there are people on every corner three or four deep.
“You’ve only got to look at the swim, national anthem, everyone up and down the zig-zags on the top of the wall in Tenby, it’s just amazing.
“It’s the closest I’ll ever get to play for Wales again in having that atmosphere, and that’s start to finish, and having your family there as well is the cherry on the top.”
He continued: “Relieved is a word, but I loved every second of it.
“That swim was the toughest swim I’ve done in seven Ironmen, I got absolutely battered by the waves, the tide seemed to try and pull us back towards the beach constantly and it’s my slowest swim time, but that’s the luck of draw I suppose.
“I actually didn’t go too hard on the bike because I wanted to really hit the marathon quite hard and fresh, well, as fresh as I could!
“Just got a little wet in some patches and hit some leaves and fell, there were a couple of crashes, so I hope everyone’s OK, but the bike is tough.
“If you asked me, I haven’t done any of the others [Ironmen] but from what I hear from other people it’s the toughest bike course in Ironman and yeah, I’d have to agree.”
