Iron by name, iron by nature: this year's Ironman Weymouth triathlon went ahead despite gruelling weather conditions.

An excitable crowd turned out to cheer on some 2,200 athletes from around the world as they battled wind and rain yesterday to compete in the UK and Ireland's biggest triathlon.

The race consists of a 1.2-mile swim in Weymouth Bay, a 56-mile cycle ride through the Dorset countryside and a 13.1-mile run around Weymouth, ending at the Pavilion.

A weather warning for wind issued before the weekend, which could have disrupted proceedings, was cancelled – but the area was lashed by heavy rain on Sunday morning.

Although the swim section was shortened due to the conditions, spirits at the finish line were not dampened, with glorious sunshine breaking out around midday.

Organisers had once again worked with Dorset County Council before the event to ensure the message got out about road closures and parking restrictions.

Race director Alan Rose said that before the event the team received 50 per cent fewer calls compared to the previous year from people concerned about road closures.

The first men to finish were Elliot Smales, Sam Pictor and Sam Proctor.

On the women's side were India Lee, Nikki Bartlett and Fenella Langridge.

All six were thoroughly soaked long before stepping up to the podium to spray the celebratory champagne.

Anthony Lee watched daughter India step up to collect her first place medal.

He said: "I'm so proud of her, it's her first triathlon. She's had a tough season but this is a testament to how hard she's worked."

Nikki Bartlett, who took second place for the women's race, said: "On the bike it was almost a matter of survival, it was definitely the most challenging and tough conditions I've ever experienced.

"During the race I felt like I wanted to bin it a million and one times, but I thought 'no, you've come here to race and deal with the conditions'".

Weymouth team BustinSkin entered 45 triathletes in this year's event.

Organiser Rowena Taylor said: "I'm so proud of them, about half are first timers, everyone has trained so hard."

One of the early finishers was Tom Carter from Weymouth.

He said: "It feels so good to have finished – the bike was absolutely freezing.

"I was being cautious on the downhill as it was quite slippery, but there were some flying down really fast – I took it steady."

Organisers say the event is now the biggest and most popular middle-distance triathlon in the UK and Ireland, and the third largest in Europe.

First-timers make up close to half the field with 1,350 athletes set to participate at their first ever Ironman 70.3 race. This year’s race also saw the highest female participation rate across the UK and Ireland with nearly 600 women, making up 22 per cent of the total field.

Race director Alan Rose said: “It’s been a great day, a tough day.

"Conditions have been challenging to say the least, but the athletes have had an amazing experience they'll remember for a long time to come.

"At one point it looked uncertain with the weather but luckily we went ahead – when you're up against it with conditions, to be able to deliver what is deemed a great success, it's then you realise you've got a great team on board.

"I'd like to say a big thank you to the organising team and local volunteers, who have been phenomenal."