The Ironman triathlon will be held in Weymouth next month - and will also return in 2025, it has been confirmed.

At a meeting of the full council at Weymouth Town Council, councillors voted in favour of hosting the Ironman triathlon event next year.

The annual triathlon race, considered the ultimate one-day test of endurance, comprises three parts - a 1.2-mile swim in Weymouth Bay, a 56-mile cycle around Dorset and a 13.1-mile run around Weymouth.

READ MORE: Dorset: Closures for Ironman Weymouth Ironman event 2024

The popular event attracts thousands of athletes from all over the UK and Europe - and provides a major boost for the town after the main holiday season.

There is usually some disruption from the event as many roads have to be closed to allow athletes to compete safely - particularly the bike course which goes up towards Sherborne.

The Ironman 70.3 Weymouth event has been successfully taking place in Weymouth with the bike section of the course around Dorset since 2016 (with the exception of Covid).

The event will return to Weymouth next month on Sunday, September 15.

In 2020, Weymouth Town Council signed a three-year agreement.  

After the initial term, the agreement may be extended for a period of one year, on a year-by-year basis, on mutually agreed upon terms and conditions of all three parties involved - Ironman, Weymouth Town Council, and Dorset Council.

The 2024 Host Venue Agreement was previously considered and agreed at the Full Council meeting that took place in September 2023.

At the most recent meeting of the full council, councillors discussed hosting the event in the town again.

Cllr Ryan Hope said: "This event is great for our town.

"It is great recognition and promotion for the town.

"Athletes come here to train, they spend their money locally and this is a great event for Weymouth Town Council to play their part in."

Cllr Louie O'Leary added: "I will be voting in favour.

"As it is held on Sunday, it does create some disruption, preventing people from going to church.

"We need to notify residents who will be affected, it does run through the whole of Preston.

"They have been pretty good at notifying people."

Councillors voted unanimously in favour of hosting the Ironman in Weymouth again in 2025.