The Bastion, as the race is called, consists of a 3.8km swim, 180km bike ride and 42.2km run – and is renowned as one of the UK’s toughest long-distance triathlon events.
Returning to defend his title, Sion Stansfield stormed to victory again with a time of 9hr 48min 31sec, half an hour better than his 2018 performance.
He shaved eight minutes off the previous best, and it was the first time the record had been broken since Fraser Cartmell set the mark at the inaugural Bastion in 2014.
Once again Stansfield consigned Sam Walsh to second place with a time of 10:34.46, while Oliver Teenan was third in 10:51.08.
Stansfield said: “I was surprised to get in the lead on the bike quite early, it was good fun.
“I didn’t have good bike legs but I managed to hold it on the run.
“I won with ten hours 18 minutes last year and I wanted to have a sub ten-hour time today.
“This is my full Iron distance PB [personal best] so I’m happy with that.”
FAMILY MATTERS: Cleo Fychan relaxes with her parents after winning the women’s race
The women’s Bastion also delivered remarkable performances, with Cleo Fychan winning at her first attempt at the full Iron distance with a time of 13:53.01.
She was closely followed by Jennifer Ansell less than three minutes later, recording a time of 13:55.58, while Emily Carter was third in 14:25.21.
Fychan said: “I have completed a half Iron distance before at Woburn Abbey, and today I just wanted to come in under 17 hours.
“I’d read about how hilly the course is so I’ve been preparing for this race on hills.
“It made a massive difference having my parents here supporting me from this morning and throughout the day.
“I want to say to all women competing in triathlon that no fear should stop you from taking on courses like this.”
More than 1,600 athletes took part in a variety of triathlon, multisport, marathon, half marathon and open water swim events at the festival.
