Ironman competitors show their true mettle as Youghal rises to the occasion

Cycling up Youghal's windmill hill in the second stage of today's 70.3 Ironman in Youghal, Co Cork.

The Co Cork town of Youghal has laid on an exuberant welcome for the return of Ironman as temperatures soared into the high 20s and thousands lined the streets to cheer on the competitors.

Today's 70.3 half-Ironman is a prelude to Sunday's full Ironman, and the more than 3,000 spectators who wanted to see the start of the swim had a 5am start to get to Youghal's front strand.