Ironman organisers overcame problems from last year to declare this year's Weymouth triathlon a major success.

In what is a major economy boost – more than £2 million is spent locally by the 2,600-plus athletes and their families – the global sporting event returned to the resort yesterday and was watched by thousands of spectators on the seafront and in surrounding villages.

Organisers had ensured communities were well aware of what was happening this year and had worked with Dorset County Council on travel planning after the inaugural event in 2016 led to a barrage of complaints from residents and traders due to widespread disruption.

This was mainly because of the cycling event which saw roads closed in rural Dorset for most of the day.

This year’s event was scaled back to a 70.3 half distance race so roads were open much earlier, and in fact some routes were back open a lot earlier than scheduled.

Reports on social media claimed that some health workers were still unable to get through the closures with carer's passes yesterday, and a 92-year-old Preston resident awaiting his daily health visit told the Echo an ambulance was being dispatched to his house as his nurse had been refused access.

But race director Alan Rose said they did everything they could to ensure workers were looked after on the day.

Mr Rose said: "We have had a remarkable day on all fronts.

"We have had more than 2,000 athletes finish, and everyone was kept safe apart from some minor injuries, which is my biggest priority. The feedback we have had from the athletes has been absolutely phenomenal."

Armed police were seen patrolling Weymouth throughout the day as part of safety measures.

Mr Rose added: "The disruption around the course was kept to a minimum and everything opened on time or ahead of time. We made a few tweaks to the course which allowed it to function better. 

"We contacted as many care companies as we could and asked them to keep in touch, we encourage them to work with us. We moved a lot of carers around today and helped as much as we could."

Cllr Daryl Turner, county council cabinet member for natural and built environment, said: “We’ve had really good crowds and everyone has enjoyed themselves.

“There’s been an awful lot of work put into it and the organisers have made a huge effort to get it right this year, putting out press releases and leaflets and posting on social media.

“I am aware that traffic control received some complaints but on the whole, it has gone extremely well.” 

Thousands of athletes and visitors from across the world descended on the borough for what was the biggest Ironman event in the UK this year. 

Crowds lined the route to cheer on competitors as they took on the punishing three-leg race which started at Lodmoor at 7am with a 1.2 mile swim in Weymouth Bay.

This was followed by a 56-mile cycle ride around the countryside and then a 13.1 mile run in Weymouth finishing at the Pavilion.

Winner James Cunnama, from South Africa, finished in a spectacular four hours and two minutes. 

Hotels were spotted with 'no vacancies' signs as hoteliers celebrated the business that the event brought to the area. 

Mark Wall, owner of the Cumberland Hotel on the Esplanade, said: “It’s really great. It has brought a lot of people here who may not have come before."

Sue McDougal, joint owner of The Sherborne Hotel on the Esplanade, said: “Two people booked in here for Ironman are regular competitors. 

“We offered to store their bike safely away for them too, which made a huge difference I think.”

Alan Rose hinted that although next year's venues have not been decided on, he would like to see Ironman return to Weymouth which he calls the "perfect place" for the event.

See pages 14 and 15 of today's Dorset Echo for an Ironman picture special or see our online picture gallery here.

The Echo spoke to spectators on the seafront as competitors undertook the epic endurance test. 

Claire Foley, from Liverpool, is a self-titled 'Iron Wife' and has supported her fiancée Jay Brittles in Ironman events all over the world. 

She said: "Weymouth is really nice, it's a totally different experience and there's a good buzz everywhere."

Fay Greeves, from Cornwall, who was supporting son Gareth, said: “He completed it in four hours and fifty minutes. He is hoping that he has qualified for Ironman South Africa. At one point, he was in ninth place. 

“It’s lovely. We’ll definitely come back to Weymouth for this.”

Weymouth residents Matthew and Julia Betts were supporting one of Matthew's ex colleagues. 

Matthew said: “I think it’s great, it’s a cracking event. 
“I think Weymouth needs more things like this, there’s so many people here and so many different nationalities. The more the merrier."

Race finisher James Lacey, from Coventry, said: "I've done 10 half Ironman's and three full ones all over the world, and I have to say that the spectators here are the friendliest and most supportive that I've ever experienced. 

"I have come on holiday to Weymouth a lot and it's great here."
Robert Gutteridge, owner of the Tea Cabin on the seafront, said: “It’s brought business not just to us but to the whole of the borough. 

“Everybody seems to be full of good feelings about people coming down for more than just one day. 

“I think we should be proud to be picked as a venue, it’s an honour for Weymouth to step up for an event like this.”