Event organiser, Simon Hill of Xtra Mile Events, said, "Llandudno is a perfect location for a triathlon. The prom is enormous and it gives us plenty of space to make the transitions on a flat surface, as well as room for spectators."

The event will begin with a 15,000 metre swim from the Craig-y-Don paddling pool to the dinghy jetty before the athletes transfer to their bikes for four laps of the Great Orme.

Marine Drive will be closed for the event, as will the left hand lane of Gloddaeth Avenue as the athletes return to the prom to jump off their bikes and begin the run - four laps of the prom, from opposite the Imperial Hotel to the paddling pool and back.

This triathlon will be the most northerly in the UK to include a sea swim, which Simon is very happy about. He explaied: "The biggest triathlon races are sea-based and they're the most exciting and picturesque.

"You have to have a minimum temperature of 11 degrees to hold the race, but you've got the Gulf Stream in Llandudno Bay, so with everyone wearing wetsuits, it should be fine.

"The other thing that attracted us to Llandudno was that it's got the highest rating from the Marine Conservation Society, and has a big blue flag."

A keen competitor who'll be at Llandudno is ex-Oldham rugby league player Martin Holden. "After retiring through injury, I put a lot of weight on so I decided to get myself into the triathlon world and ended up competing in the Iron Man contest ten months later," he explained.

"The best thing about the triathlon is that it really is a sport for everyone. It's such a friendly environment; once you've done the training and have the guts to turn up, you deserve the respect of everyone else taking part."

One amateur participant who'll be attending is blind athlete Maggie Bowes from Warwick.

"Barry Craven is my coach and guide when I compete. He introduced me to triathlons and I like a challenge," Maggie said.

"Barry and I ride tandem for the cycling part. He's my pilot and is in charge of the brakes and steering and I'm the stoker; the one who provides the extra fuel!"

Maggie's biggest worry is the swim, her weakest discipline. "The sea swimming is a challenge as I don't get much of a chance to practise it. I have my guide swimming beside me, touching my shoulder to direct me. But I've tried it twice and not finished because of the strong current."

But this time Maggie might be in luck. "The way the tide goes after it hits the Little Orme, the swimmers will have half a knot behind them", said Simon Hill. "So even the most nervous swimmers will get there eventually."

This year the race is part of the Welsh Triathlon grand prix series, but Simon has big plans for Llandudno.

"Next year, we'd love it to become part of the elite triathlon races, but you need to raise a lot of funding for prize money. These races are televised and we could attract people like Jenson Button, who's a keen triathlete. It would be fantastic to see TV helicopters flying round Marine Drive.

"I recently recce'ed the site with some friends who said the Pacific Coast Highway wasn't a patch on the Great Orme; it beats some of the best roads in the world."

A good bet for the first Llandudno triathlon is local elite athlete and teacher Rhian Roxburgh.